It’s only a matter of time before more GOP Governors fold on Medicaid expansion.
Why? State budget realities.
States that are refusing to expand Medicaid — like Texas — are hurting their hospitals by giving up funds that could help offset their uncompensated care, Dan Mendelson, president and CEO of Avalere Health, said at a POLITICO Pro breakfast briefing this morning.
“That’s very close to $2 billion for Texas hospitals,” Mendelson said. “They are severely disadvantaging their providers if they don’t take the expansion in the early years.”
He’s right. And it’s not just hospitals impacted — it’s also skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), which are America’s second largest health facility employer.