Greene County Democrat

Tag: Jane Adams

  • More than half of Alabama’s 52 rural hospitals are at risk of closure,New billboard urges Medicaid expansion to save Alabama hospitals

    A billboard supporting Medicaid expansion. 

    By Alabama Political Reporters Staff

    Cover Alabama and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) unveiled a striking new billboard near Jackson Hospital recently, spotlighting the urgent need for Medicaid expansion to safeguard healthcare access and protect Alabama’s hospitals. Featuring the message, *“Save Jackson Hospital. Expand Medicaid now.”* alongside an image of an ambulance, the billboard underscores the critical need to address Alabama’s healthcare coverage gap.

    According to a report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, more than half of Alabama’s 52 rural hospitals are at risk of closure, with 23 facing an immediate threat. This crisis has already hit close to home, with Thomasville Regional Medical Center closing in recent weeks and other hospitals across the state reducing services.

    “For too long, Alabama’s hospitals have struggled under the weight of a broken healthcare system,” said Debbie Smith, Cover Alabama campaign director. “This billboard is a stark reminder that without action, more hospitals will be forced to close, impacting families and economies across our state.”

    John Zippert, Chair of the Board of the Greene County Health System said, “Our hospital, nursing home and physician’s clinic face a serious financial challenge. How can we continue to operate with a monthly deficit of $50,000 to $100,000, caused by providing uncompensated care. If the Governor and the Legislature expanded Medicaid, it would mean that 40% of the people who use our facilities and services would have some form of heath insurance. These people would become healthier, and our hospital would move to a heathier financial position.”

    Jane Adams, Government Relations Director for ACS CAN in Alabama, echoed the call for urgent action. “This is no longer just a rural problem. Hospitals in urban and suburban areas are also at risk. We need Governor Ivey to act now before it’s too late.”

    The challenges facing Alabama hospitals have far-reaching implications, particularly for rural communities. Retired Brig. Gen. Edward Crowell, board chair of Jackson Hospital, highlighted the impact Medicaid expansion could have: “Jackson Hospital plays a vital role in ensuring that community members have access to essential health services,” Crowell said. “Medicaid expansion would be a game-changer, strengthening hospitals across the state and enabling us to continue serving those in need.”

    The billboard, located on I-85 westbound near Jackson Hospital, will remain visible for several weeks as part of a broader campaign by Cover Alabama and ACS CAN to raise awareness and inspire Alabamians to advocate for change. Organizers hope the campaign will encourage residents to contact their legislators and urge them to take action on Medicaid expansion.

    Cover Alabama is a nonpartisan alliance of over 100 community partners, businesses, healthcare providers, and faith groups advocating for quality, affordable health coverage for Alabama residents.

    ACS CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. Since 2001, it has championed evidence-based public policies to reduce the burden of cancer, expanding access to healthcare and securing funding for cancer research.

     

  • Alabama to receive $940 million incentive payments, over two years, if the state expands Medicaid under the American Rescue Plan

    The State of Alabama is eligible to receive $940 million in incentive payments, over two years, if it expands Medicaid to serve people making up to 138% of poverty wages, under provisions of the $1.9 Trillion American Rescue Plan, passed by Congress and signed by President Biden on March 11. The American Rescue Plan contains funding for $1,400 stimulus checks, $300 weekly supplementary unemployment benefits, child tax credits, and many other provisions to help people deal with the health and financial crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The Plan also contains a financial incentive for the 12 states, mostly in the South, that have not agreed to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The incentive comes in the form of a five (5%) increase in the Federal matching assistance percentage (FMAP) paid by HHS for all current Medicaid recipients for two years. Alabama currently receives a FMAP of 78% which would rise to 83%, if the state expands Medicaid for 300,000 or more working poor people who make too much to qualify for Medicaid and too little to purchase insurance on the ACA exchanges. The 5% increase in FMAP would yield the State of Alabama, $940 million in increased government healthcare support for all current Medicaid recipients, e.g., children, seniors in nursing homes, pregnant women, the disabled and others over the next two years. This $940 million could be used by the State of Alabama to cover the initial cost of initiating healthcare coverage for the working poor, people who make below 138% of the poverty level. The State of Alabama would receive 90% reimbursement for all people covered by Medicaid expansion. The State would be able to shift some expenses it is currently paying for the disabled, prisoners and others to the Medicaid Expansion Program, saving more in the state budget toward the cost of healthcare for the people of the state. Medicaid expansion also creates an estimated 30,000 new jobs, mostly in healthcare fields and generates additional sales and income tax revenues to help the state maintain the program after the two years of incentives are reduced. In most states that have adopted Medicaid Expansion, the program has paid for and sustained itself. Jane Adams, Executive Director of Cover Alabama, a coalition of organizations supporting Medicaid Expansion says, “This is the very best time for Alabama to expand Medicaid because the Federal government is offering incentives to expand the program and because the state has been limited by the coronavirus pandemic from removing people from the Medicaid rolls. The State is carrying over a million people on its Medicaid rolls and will be receiving the 5% incentive payment for anyone treated that is covered by Medicaid.” “In Alabama, the decision to expand Medicaid falls to Governor Kay Ivey. She can expand Medicaid as soon as she decides it is beneficial to the state to do so. She does not need action by the State Legislature and she can develop an amended state budget based on the promised revenues and incentives,” said Adams. Johnny Ford of Tuskegee, the Co-chair of the SOS Movement for Justice and Democracy Health Committee said, “Now is the time to get Medicaid Expansion. I do not care if we call it ‘Iveycare’ or whatever but the Governor must agree and help the working poor to get health insurance coverage, as we work our way out of this pandemic. The program creates jobs, helps keep hospitals open and it will pay for itself plus President Biden is giving incentives for the state to adopt the program.” “Governor Ivey’s objection to expanding Medicaid was that funds were not available to start the program but the funds are there now. There should be no more excuses. Call, write or email Governor Ivey and let her know you support Medicaid Expansion,” said John Zippert, SOS Health Committee Co-chair.