Over the weekend, The Sun's Anjeanette Damon interviewed Larry Matheis from the Nevada State Medical Association for her KSNV/KRNV weekend show ("To the Point"). Of course, they were discussing the Affordable Care Act and whether Governor Sandoval will agree to expand Medicaid & fully implement the new health care law.
The Nevada State Medical Association is now one of many voices calling on Sandoval and the Legislature to fully implement "Obamacare" by expanding Medicaid. As even some prominent Republicans have recently admitted, Nevada actually does need a program like this to cover more uninsured residents. And by doing so, health care costs decrease for nearly everyone while the state benefits from more economic activity generated by a stronger health care system.
Also remember that the federal government will pay for 100% of the first three years of Medicaid expansion. And after five years, the feds will still pay for 90% of it. So in essence, Nevada only contributes a dime for every dollar of additional health care... And that will likely still save Nevada money!
So what is Brian Sandoval waiting for? So far, that seems to be the $500 million question. Is it Chuck Muth and the "tea party"? Is it Republican legislators? Is it Democratic legislators? Or is there another reason for the wait?
Whatever the reason, it certainly can't be the actual facts and dollar figures of the proposed Medicaid expansion. Again. it just makes good sense and good policy to do it. Sandoval is likely waiting on a final decision for political reasons, so we'll have to wait a few more weeks to see how the politics in Carson City shakes out.
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