How Much Will Senate Health Care Bill Cost Arkansans?
Press Release
U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) wants to know how much of the $25 billion price tag for Medicaid spending will come from hardworking Arkansans.
According to Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, health care legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate, increases net state spending on Medicaid by about $25 billion over the 2010--2019.
Boozman expressed great concern for the costs of this health care reform legislation supported by President Obama and the Majority party and what it means for the bottom line of the state budget of Arkansas after a report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) found that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, forces several unfunded mandates onto states.
The legislation supports state increases of Medicaid enrollment levels to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, starting in 2014, but only requires 100 percent federal funding through 2016. In following years, the payments are reduces to an average of 90 percent. This means that after 2016, the State of Arkansas will have to spend more of its own funds to cover Medicaid beneficiaries.
Data compiled by the National Conference of State Legislators based on the U.S. Senate Finance Bill indicates the unfunded mandate could cost Arkansas $400 million.
"Arkansas is already facing budget cuts because of the current economic climate. These unfunded mandates will undoubtedly hurt Arkansas' state budget even further. As our country deals with a soaring deficit we cannot expect hardworking Arkansans to fork over more money for legislation they overwhelmingly oppose. There are commonsense solutions for health care reform that aren't budget busters that increase competition and drive down costs nationwide," Boozman said.
Boozman voted against the government takeover of health care supported by President Obama and Speaker Pelosi on November 7.
Source