MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Members of Alabama Arise visited the State House Tuesday to urge state leaders to expand Medicaid for low-income adults.
Approximately 300,000 Alabamians fall into the health coverage gap, earning too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to pay for private health coverage.
Honour Hill, the March of Dimes Alabama director of maternal and infant health initiatives, said Alabama has some of the strictest Medicaid eligibility in the nation. Currently, a parent in a family of three must earn 18% below the federal poverty level, $4,656 a year, to qualify for Medicaid benefits.
Rev. Clyde Jones, board president of Alabama Arise Action, emphasized that the expansion of Medicaid will “make it easier for Alabamians to make ends meet.”
“This is an investment in Alabama’s future. It will create thousands of jobs and generate billions of dollars of economic activity,” Jones said. He emphasized that expanded Medicaid will ultimately save lives.
Farrell Turner, president of the Alabama Rural Health Association, expressed concerns about the critical state of hospitals in rural areas and shared that the expansion of Medicaid could prevent that.
“It is not just a challenge; it is a crisis to rural Alabamians,” Turner said, noting that health care is not the only loss when a hospital shuts down. “Medicaid will not only improve health outcomes but create jobs and increase Alabama’s workforce.”
Alabama Arise urged lawmakers and Gov. Kay Ivey to consider an expansion in Medicaid.
“Governor Ivey, the time for action is now,” said Cover Alabama campaign director Debbie Smith.
Smith said that Alabama Arise has discussed their concerns with lawmakers but did not comment on receiving any action or response from them.
Alabama is one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid. Earlier this year, some lawmakers were briefed on a proposal to use federal dollars to expand private health care coverage to low-income Alabamians. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, has said insuring more Alabamians would expand the state’s workforce.
Smith agreed Tuesday.
“When individuals are healthy and cared for, they can contribute to our economy,” she said.
Smith mentioned that Alabama Arise is closely monitoring Mississippi, as it is currently debating a Medicaid expansion bill.
More than 200 supporters were present for the event.