Governor’s Proposal Just Makes Things Worse

I glanced at the U.S. Debt Clock on Tuesday afternoon.  If each taxpayer in the country had to make a one-time payment to collectively pay off the federal debt, that amount would be $146,080.  So here is my question: “Do you have over a hundred thousand dollars you and your family do not need?”  Odds are you do not.  Democrats like to contribute our fiscal problems to a “lack” of revenue.  They tell you that they can solve so many problems if only they had more of your money with which to spend.  They then sell you the idea that Republicans are evil because we oppose mortgaging a collective generation of children’s – even grandchildren’s – futures for the sake of poorly run programs that do not even come close to solving the problems they were intended to solve.  One such program is Medicaid.
 

Old, Broken Medicaid

Have you ever heard anyone say that Medicaid is a good insurance program?  I have not and I am willing to bet you have not either.  Medicaid is such a terribly run inefficient program that one-third of doctors nationwide will not even take on new Medicaid patients.  Studies also show that Medicaid recipients have worse health outcomes than those who have private insurance.  There is even evidence that shows that on par, a Medicaid recipient is actually more likely to go visit the emergency room than someone who is uninsured.  This is the exact opposite of the intended effect the program is supposed to have!  Specialty care, which is expensive and often crucial to treating our medically underserved, is limited by Medicaid’s burdensome federal regulations and requirements.  When it comes to access and outcomes, Medicaid is failing.

This underlying truth is undeniable and uncontested.  Yet this is the program that Governor Nixon wants to saddle on to more than 250,000 additional Missourians.  According to the 2011 American Community Survey, 86.3% of Missouri’s citizens have some form of insurance.  With this expansion, we only improve the coverage to 90% - a mere 4% increase in coverage (assuming no one drops their private insurance for “free” healthcare) for a staggering cost to taxpayers of one billion dollars!  Common sense could not be more in our favor to reform this system to improve its operation, help people get well, and save taxpayer dollars. 

Unfortunately, this is not the plan Governor Nixon is endorsing.  Consider this: in the last four years as Governor, he has had the opportunity to try and change Medicaid so it actually helps people get well.  Instead, he has waited until his re-election before he jumped on the expansion bandwagon.  Thankfully, there are alternatives to the ill-conceived idea of growing this broken system.

Transformed Medicaid

Republicans and Democrats alike in places like Florida, Louisiana, Kansas, Texas, and Wisconsin have taken notice of Medicaid’s vast shortcomings.  Instead of just throwing more money at the problem, these states have offered realistic solutions.  With a pragmatic approach, they have instituted reforms that have promoted stronger patient outcomes, increased doctor participation, and reduced burdensome restrictions on care that can be given.  We can bring those solutions to Missouri and that is what we will be working towards this session.