[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 164 (Monday, November 18, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONTINUING TO PUSH FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION

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                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 18, 2013

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the healthcare 
benefits low-income residents of Michigan can now access because of the 
state's expansion of Medicaid. I strongly encourage my colleagues to 
ask their respective governors to take similar measures to expand 
Medicaid.
  In Michigan, this expansion will provide health insurance for 
thousands of Michiganders who need it most, while saving money and 
improving care for all of our citizens.
  In 2014 alone, 320,000 individuals will be able to access Medicaid 
benefits, and by 2021, 470,000 Michiganders will be covered--dropping 
Michigan's uninsured population by nearly 50 percent.
  Perhaps most beneficial is the fact that the state will actually save 
money since federal funds will cover 100 percent of the costs of this 
expansion for the first 3 years. Next year, the savings will be $206 
million and much of these savings will be put in a fund to cover 
Michigan's future health care liabilities, meaning there will be no net 
cost to the state for the next 21 years. Further, this expansion will 
save the state $320 million in uncompensated care by 2022.
  This means tax savings for every single tax-paying Michigander, as 
they will no longer be responsible for paying the medical bill of 
uninsured individuals who used to seek services at expensive emergency 
room facilities.
  While many states are recognizing the irresistible benefits of 
Medicaid expansion, 25 states have yet to do so--apparently for 
ideological reasons. This summer, the Kaiser Family Foundation 
calculated that the Medicaid expansion would have twice the impact in 
the states that are leaning against expansion than those embracing it, 
exhibiting how incredibly positive it would be for those states to 
adopt expansion. If a state like my home of Michigan can recognize the 
benefits, I know others can as well. This is a common sense decision 
that will benefit every person, and even small businesses, in the 
states that have not yet expanded coverage.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage the 25 governors to see past the 
ideology and recognize the overwhelming benefit their constituents will 
reap by their actions to expand Medicaid.

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