After three years of pandemic-era expansion, the Medicaid program is reeling. It was originally designed as a safety net for truly needy Americans. But it’s since become a vehicle for long-term dependency and socialized medicine. – Jonathan Bain
NAPLES, Fla. (PRWEB)
April 13, 2023
BREAKING: New research from the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) reveals that skyrocketing Medicaid enrollment has hit an all-time high—100 million enrollees. FGA’s countdown clock predicted enrollment in Medicaid would reach this grim milestone in early 2023.
“After three years of pandemic-era expansion, the Medicaid program is reeling. It was originally designed as a safety net for truly needy Americans, such as seniors, those with disabilities, and low-income children. But it’s since become a vehicle for long-term dependency and socialized medicine,” said Jonathan Bain, FGA senior research fellow. “The explosive rise in Medicaid enrollment was largely driven by states expanding the program to cover able-bodied adults—those who can and should be in the workforce, not on government-run welfare.”
The 35 percent spike in Medicaid enrollment since early 2020—an additional 26 million individuals—is largely due to two factors: (1) the federal government’s extension of the public health emergency locking states in “Medicaid handcuffs,” and (2) state Medicaid expansion covering able-bodied adults. FGA’s research shows that as welfare enrollment increases, workforce participation decreases.
“While the debate over Medicaid expansion rages in the remaining non-expansion states, lawmakers need not look any further than the real-life experiences of their counterparts for answers: shattered enrollment projections, massive cost overruns, closed hospitals, and an ailing workforce,” added Bain. “If non-expansion states expand Medicaid, taxpayers could be on the hook for nearly $800 billion. Policymakers must stand firm against the broken promises of Medicaid expansion to protect the truly needy, state budgets, and taxpayers.”
The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is a non-profit, multi-state think tank that promotes public policy solutions to create opportunities for every American to experience the American Dream. To learn more, visit TheFGA.org.
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