Earlier this year, there was some speculation Gov. Kay Ivey would move to try to expand Alabama's Medicaid rolls to shore up the state's health care system.
However, lawmakers have dismissed that possibility. They warn that even with the initial federal money granted to the state for expansion costs, the long-term implications were cost-prohibitive.
Add State Sen. David Sessions (R-Grand Bay) to the list of Medicaid expansion skeptics. During an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show," Sessions said that he could not foresee the state going toward Medicaid expansion at this point, given those costs.
"I don't think so," Sessions replied when asked. "I think that ship has done sailed. I don't think at this point you're looking at a whole lot of benefit, you know like I said. There again, I don't know what the Governor's thinking on that issue – what it would look like, how much it would cost the state if we were to do it, if we could afford it or not. That's what you've got to worry about, you know – not what it looks like today, what it is going to be like five, 10 years down the road, what kind of shape we are going to be in."
The Mobile County Republican lawmaker referred to the availability of jobs as a possible alternative to Medicaid.
"You know, Alabama is doing a really good job of recruiting businesses," Sessions continued. "There's help wanted signs everywhere. Your radio program may have an ad for the Walmart distribution center. They're advertising steadily. I think they need up to 800 employees. Although we're in a really tight economy right now, if a person wants a job, they can find a job. There are jobs available. And that's a good thing."
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com.
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