Medicaid options worth additional discussions
Under federal law, Medicaid can be expanded to cover people earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $15,000 per year. Republican governors in Ohio and Indiana have opted for the expansion route.
Under the federal law the state will have to pay 10 percent of the costs after the first two years when the federal government pays all the costs of the expansion, and then starts stepping down to 90 percent by 2020.
Many Democrats say the state cannot afford to reject the infusion of federal funds to provide coverage to a group of people who currently do not have insurance – primarily the working poor.
Keeping the option to expand Medicaid open at least for broader public discussion is reasonable. More evidence, clearly analyzed, could determine whether that option in the long run is in Mississippi’s best interest.
Daily Journal Editorial
2/10/13
Magnolia Tribune
