LETTER: Republican State Reps Voted Against Medicaid

I would like to pose a question to our three current State Representatives; Peter Hansen, Robert Rowe and Steven Stepaneck: Why did you vote on numerous occasions against implementation of the Affordable Care Act? In particular, why did you vote not to expand Medicaid coverage for up to 36,000 currently uninsured New Hampshire residents earning less than $15,000 per year?

According to a report by the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute (www.nhfpi.org), by covering these additional residents, Medicaid will pump an additional $1.2 Billion into the New Hampshire healthcare system over the next seven years. This is real money that will have a real impact upon our economy and jobs in the healthcare sector. Yes, there is a cost to the State to participate. During the first two years, Medicaid will pay 100% of the cost for new enrollees. After that, reimbursement will scale down to 90% in 2020. This is a much higher level of reimbursement  than the current Medicaid reimbursement rate.

Are we really better off turning down a $1.2 Billion investment in our healthcare industry, because we don't want to pay $56 million though 2020 to insure an additional 36,000 residents? This cost does not include the savings to our hospitals and healthcare providers who will not have to provide free care to these same individuals! Not to speak of the benefits of healthier citizens and employees!

Perhaps you voted against the Medicaid expansion for partisan political purposes. I certainly hope not, because any business person will tell you that a $56 million investment by the state with a $1.2 Billion return over seven years is a no brainer.

I sincerely hope the citizens of Amherst pay attention to your votes in Concord when they vote on November 6 .

- Paul Spiess