Medicaid Expansion

Well, now we know.

Repeal is a long shot.

The debate isn’t over.

supreme court  Ruled 5-4 on June 28, 2012 to uphold law  Individual mandate, exchanges, insurance rules and other programs still stand  Medicaid expansion is now optional for each state  Subsidies are available to individuals from 100% FPL and above if a state does not opt in

The political question: what will states do?

some background  January Only six states originally participated when the program launched: Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania  20 states signed on later that year  11 states joined in 1967  13 more states (southern) joined in  Arizona last to join in 1982  Eventually all states participated in basic program and SCHIP (enacted in 1997)

why are states reluctant?  Oppose Obama…… Oppose ObamaCare  States Rights  Administrative burden  10 percent is still a big commitment  Fear the federal government will not keep its financial commitment  The “woodwork” effect

who isn’t participating?

who will benefit?

how much will the medicaid expansion cost sc?

state impact reports

economic impact in sc

USC economic impact report  SCDHHS estimates $11.2 billion in new federal funding will be generated between 2014 and 2020 due to newly eligible enrollees.  By 2020, the annual economic impact will total $3.3 billion in annual economic output, nearly 44,000 jobs, and approximately $1.5 billion in labor income.  This will translate into additional spending, leading to increases in SC general funds totaling $105.6 million by 2020.

USC economic impact report  This increased tax revenue will completely offset the required state costs over the first seven years and generate a $9 million net surplus.  From 2020 forward after the federal match rate caps at $9 federal to every $1 state, new tax dollars will generate enough to cover 53% of the state required Medicaid match.

what you can do?  Communicate with legislators  Engage local chambers of commerce, businesses and civic organizations  Write letters to editor

despite the concerns, these facts remain:  SC hospitals will continue to care for uninsured patients; federal law requires them to do so.  The cost of that care must be paid by someone, and there are two options:  We can let the other states help pay 90% of it (they are offering to do so through Medicaid), or  We can absorb 100% of the costs within our borders. Which strategy will make SC more competitive?

Strategic imperative: Enhance South Carolina’s economic competitiveness by improving health status, improving health care delivery, and lowering the per capita cost of care

In order to lower health care costs, SC needs better health and better health care

America ranks dead last in health status Source: U.S. in International Perspective: Shorter Lives, Poorer Health, published January 9, 2013 by the Institute of Medicine

America ranks dead last, continued Source: U.S. in International Perspective: Shorter Lives, Poorer Health, published January 9, 2013 by the Institute of Medicine

In the least healthy developed nation: South Carolina ranked 46 th out of 50 states in 2012 (The Palmetto State ranked 45 th in 2011) Source: America’s Health Rankings, published by the United Health Foundation

What’s driving our low health status? FactorRankWeight 1.Diabetes49Low 2.Children in Poverty48Medium 3.Low Birth weight47Medium 4.High School Graduation Rate47Medium 5.Violent Crime46Medium 6.Lack of Health Insurance45Medium 7.Obesity42Medium 8.Premature Death42Medium 9.Infant Mortality40Medium 10.Smoking39High Source: America’s Health Rankings, published by the United Health Foundation

Better Health  Health is the result of our behaviors, genetics, and environment combined with the clinical care we receive and the policies of our health care, government, and other prevention systems.  SC is one of the least healthy states in the least healthy developed nation. We need a comprehensive, data-driven plan to make SC one of the healthiest states in America.  Our plan must address the primary factors driving our poor health status.

Better Health Care  We all care about quality of life. One of the major contributors to a high quality of life is access to excellent health care.  SC has been recognized in recent years as a national leader in patient safety and quality of care, but there’s much more to be done.  Health care in America must become as reliable as commercial aviation and nuclear power; SC is poised to be the lead state in building highly reliable systems of care.

Lower Cost  The fundamental complaint about America’s health care system is the high (and ever-increasing) cost of care.  There are two contributing factors, both of which must be addressed simultaneously. The first is the cost of health services, and the second is the frequency with which those services are utilized.  It’s not enough to reduce the cost of health care; we must improve our health so we won’t have to purchase so many health care services.