The National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems, which represents public safety-net hospitals across the country, has raised concerns over states rejecting the Medicaid expansion, which is part of the healthcare reform law.
Bruce Siegel, MD, president and CEO of NAPH, said in a statement (pdf) that roughly 4 million people who would have been eligible for Medicaid will be uninsured in the eight states that have already said they will or likely will reject the now-optional Medicaid expansion — such as Texas, Louisiana and South Carolina — and a total of 13.8 million people are at risk across the country.
"The consequences of leaving so many people uninsured can profoundly harm entire communities and impact even those with insurance," Dr. Siegel said. "Especially alarming is the suggestion that expanding Medicaid coverage would leave the newly covered worse off — a badly misguided and potentially dangerous premise."
Public and safety-net hospitals care for all patients, underinsured and uninsured, and typically have the highest rates of charity and uncompensated care. The Medicaid expansion would provide a new source of reimbursement, but disapproving officials have said new Medicaid measures will saddle states with too much debt down the road.
"Simply put, coverage matters," Dr. Siegel said. "We implore state leaders to consider the severe consequences their populations will face if they choose not to expand Medicaid and to renounce the idea that no insurance is a preferred and viable option."
Bruce Siegel, MD, president and CEO of NAPH, said in a statement (pdf) that roughly 4 million people who would have been eligible for Medicaid will be uninsured in the eight states that have already said they will or likely will reject the now-optional Medicaid expansion — such as Texas, Louisiana and South Carolina — and a total of 13.8 million people are at risk across the country.
"The consequences of leaving so many people uninsured can profoundly harm entire communities and impact even those with insurance," Dr. Siegel said. "Especially alarming is the suggestion that expanding Medicaid coverage would leave the newly covered worse off — a badly misguided and potentially dangerous premise."
Public and safety-net hospitals care for all patients, underinsured and uninsured, and typically have the highest rates of charity and uncompensated care. The Medicaid expansion would provide a new source of reimbursement, but disapproving officials have said new Medicaid measures will saddle states with too much debt down the road.
"Simply put, coverage matters," Dr. Siegel said. "We implore state leaders to consider the severe consequences their populations will face if they choose not to expand Medicaid and to renounce the idea that no insurance is a preferred and viable option."
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