EDITORIAL: Medicaid expansion is the law — and it will benefit Maine
This simple conclusion was bolstered by a recent analysis in
"Compared with their insured counterparts, low-income uninsured Mainers have more trouble finding a health care provider to see them, are less likely to seek needed medical services, and have greater difficulty paying their medical bills when they do obtain health care," says the report by the
This is an important message to keep in mind as lawmakers in
Last year, voters strongly endorsed an expansion of Medicaid in
By expanding Medicaid,
With health insurance, 80,000 more Mainers can access preventative care, vaccinations, addiction treatment, counseling and other needed care. Currently, many people without insurance put off doctor's visits until illnesses or injuries become so bad they threaten their work and well-being. When they do seek care, it is more expensive.
Fifty-four percent of low-income uninsured Mainer adults have no regular health care provider and 27 percent had trouble finding a doctor who would see them when they needed one, the
By extending insurance to 80,000 more Mainers, Medicaid expansion will make medical care more accessible and affordable. It will also put
It will also help the state's economy as billions of federal dollars flow into the state, creating 6,000 new jobs, according to a report by Elizabeth
Yet, opponents, led by Gov.
LePage has thrown out demands -- that paying for expansion can't raise taxes or take funds from other programs, for example. This can easily be done.
Mainers have said extending health insurance to their friends, co-workers and neighbors who don't have it is their priority. It is time for lawmakers to make that a reality.
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