Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Medicaid Expansion Has Been Bigger Than Expected And Some States Fear Costs
Under the Affordable Care Acts Medicaid expansion, enrollment in the program is soaring past expectations in a handful of states, raising some concerns about whether states will have trouble covering the costs down the road. (Ehley, 5/19)
Despite the efforts of healthcare advocates, hospitals and notable former legislators, the Missouri legislature did not pass Medicaid expansion this year, or even bring it to the debate floor. That means an estimated 147,000 Missourians will have another year without health coverage, and the community health clinics that care for the uninsured will continue trying to bridge the gap. I dont know what it will take, I dont know what more information [lawmakers] need to motivate them to change, said Dr. Johnetta Craig, Chief Medical Officer at Family Care Health Centers in St. Louis. Craig said that if the past two years are any indication, patients will defer care when they cant afford it, leading to emergencies and more expensive health care down the road. (Bouscaren, 5/18)
