New Census data emphasizes need to expand health coverage in Alabama
By Chris Sanders
Alabama is one of 10 states yet to expand Medicaid to cover adults with low incomes. The uninsured rate for adults in non-expansion states last year (16.2%) was nearly twice as high as in states that have expanded Medicaid (9%), according to new Current Population Survey (CPS) data that the U.S. Census Bureau released recently.
Alabama Arise’s Cover Alabama campaign director Debbie Smith released the following statement in response to the Census data:
“Health coverage saves lives. But Alabama’s refusal to expand Medicaid continues to leave up to 155,000 people with low incomes caught in a coverage gap, with no access to the affordable healthcare they need. These are Alabamians who work hard at essential jobs like construction, food service and retail but can’t afford private insurance. They are Alabamians who care for family members with severe illnesses or disabilities. They are our friends and neighbors, and they deserve better from our elected officials.
“Congress’ failure to renew enhanced Premium Tax Credits for Marketplace coverage under the Affordable Care Act has made our state’s existing healthcare disparities even worse. More than 95,000 Alabamians have lost their ACA coverage this year as a result of this congressional inaction. That is the equivalent of a packed SEC football stadium full of people who have been priced out of coverage.
“Alabama’s 23% decline in ACA enrollment has real-world consequences for families and communities across our state. It means more people are forced to go to emergency rooms instead of seeing a doctor regularly. It means additional financial strain on rural hospitals that already are struggling to remain open. And it means many Alabamians go without medical care until their health conditions become harder or impossible to treat.
“Federal and state officials must do better. Congress should help reduce families’ healthcare costs by restoring the enhanced tax credits for ACA coverage. And Gov. Kay Ivey and legislators should close our state’s coverage gap by expanding Medicaid to ensure every Alabamian can afford to get the life-saving healthcare they need when they need it.”