Move ahead on Medicaid expansion

Move ahead on Medicaid expansion

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld most of Affordable Care Act that had guaranteed coverage for up to 57 million Americans — 32 million uninsured and 25 million underinsured in just a few years. We are pleased with the overall decision especially letting stand the mandate requiring all Americans to purchase insurance through health insurance exchanges. This will establish the right framework among providers, insurance companies, government and citizens, a practice essential for meaningful reform. It will keep health costs manageable and give everyone, rich or poor, the tools they need to be healthy.

However the decision to rule unconstitutional the required Medicaid expansion causes us great concern. The Medicaid expansion in the ACA offered low and moderate income Americans their best hope of obtaining full coverage for their health care needs, and also represented the best of American ideals — public coverage being the clearest example of neighbors helping neighbors, communities helping communities.

To add perspective, at Chicago Family Health Center, medical home to more 28,000 low-income South Side residents, more than 6,300 of our uninsured would have been covered under the Medicaid expansion clause. CFHC could have gained up to $1.6 million in new revenue that would have expanded and improved the care and services we have been providing for men and women, children and seniors for 35 years.

We urge Illinois and every other state to remain true the Affordable Care Act by expanding Medicaid for their neediest residents. It truly is the responsible thing to do. The Supreme Court has reinvigorated the resolve of America by encouraging this generation to be responsible about their health so that they, their families and communities are healthy, productive and self-sufficient for years to come.

Warren J. Brodine

CEO

Chicago Family Health Center