Supporters of the bill argue it could help prison reform efforts. Jon Bailey, a researcher with the Center for Rural Affairs, contended that that the expansion would make health coverage available for freed inmates, most of whom leave prison without a way to pay for mental health and substance abuse treatment, according to the report.
Supporters also argue that Medicaid expansion will have a positive impact on the state’s economy, lessen the financial burdens on healthcare providers and improve the state’s workforce, among other things.
But opponents claim that expansion would be too costly, pose a risk for Nebraska if federal funding falls and add thousands more patients to a healthcare system that has a provider shortage, according to the report.
If the bill is adopted, an estimated 54,000 Nebraskans with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level would qualify for health coverage.
Federal funds would pay 100 percent of the cost through 2016. The ederal share then falls incrementally to 90 percent by 2022 and stays there. The new proposal would end Medicaid expansion if the share of federal funding drops below 90 percent, according to the report.
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