Together with our allies in the Cover the Commonwealth coalition, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania has been active statewide leading the fight for Medicaid expansion.
Medicaid expansion will cover 700, 000 additional Pennsylvanians without health insurance, will contribute tens of billion to our economy, including new job creation and investment in our hospitals. Multiple recent studies by the RAND Corporation, the Pennsylvania Economic League and the Independent Fiscal Office of PA has shown the Medicaid expansion is a win-win situation for Pennsylvania, leading to broader healthcare access, better patient outcomes and an economic boost for our state. Additionally, many other governors who had a similar initial reactions have since changed their minds, including New Jersey’s Chris Christie, Arizona’s Jan Brewer and Ohio’s John Kasich decided to go along. Under the expansion, the federal government would cover 100 percent of the cost of newly eligible enrollees for three years, and then the federal share would drop to 90 percent. If we refuse to accept expanded federal Medicaid, this money will simply go to states who will.
Despite all the reasons to take federal funding for Medicaid Expansion, the Corbett administration has not yet decided to do this, nor has it ruled it out.
Here are some of the things that our union has been doing and will keep doing to raise awareness:
- Testifying at legislative hearings around the state.
- Writing letters to the editor.
- Participating in a statewide day of action.
Get involved today to make sure that Governor Corbett does what’s right for Pennsylvania and doesn’t leave the money on the table!