Among Governor John Bel Edwards’ proudest accomplishments in office is Medicaid expansion. He said it’s cheaper for a person to be on Medicaid for $.10 on the dollar as opposed to paying $.40 on the dollar when they’re uninsured and get care.
“Especially when the $.40 comes from the general fund and the $.10 comes from an assessment that the hospitals put on themselves so that they can benefit from that higher reimbursement. It helped us reduce the budget deficit. So, it was the right thing to do,” said Edwards.
Approximately a half-million Louisiana residents have Medicaid coverage as a result.
Louisiana is also one of two states in the deep south that opted for Medicaid Expansion under the Affordability Care Act and as a result….
“Our hospitals are better reimbursed. We haven’t lost a single rural hospital in Louisiana in contrast to the states that haven’t done that. Our percentage of uninsured is lower than the national average. When I became governor, it was one of the highest percentages in the country,” said Edwards.
Arkansas is the only other state in the southeast with expanded Medicaid.
While many hardline conservatives are against Medicaid expansion, Edwards, a pro-life Democrat, said allowing the working poor to have healthcare is a pro-life value.
“People have access to doctors, and diagnoses and treatments and prescription medicines and mental health treatment and addiction disorder treatment. That is pro-life,” said Edwards.
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