Unfunded Medicaid Mandates Will Cost State Taxpayers $118.04 Billion

NGA: “States Face Significant Challenges: Medicaid In Particular… spending on Medicaid is expected to consume an increasing share of state budgets and grow more rapidly than state revenue growth.” (“The Fiscal Survey Of States,” National Governors Association, P.iv, Fall 2011)

·         “…state spending on Medicaid is likely to continue to see above average growth due to… the implementation of the [Patient Protection and] Affordable Care Act…” (“The Fiscal Survey Of States,” National Governors Association, P.vii, Fall 2011)

“This report conservatively estimates that PPACA will cost state taxpayers at least $118.04 billion through 2023.” (“Medicaid Expansion In The New Health Law: Costs To The States,” Sen. Hatch & Rep. Upton, P.2, 3/1/11)

DEM GOVS: ‘Devastating,’ ‘I Have No Idea How We’re Going To Pay For It’

GOV. STEVE BESHEAR (D-KY): ‘I have no idea how we’re going to pay for it.’ “…starting in 2016, Washington will begin shifting that additional costs to the states. ‘I have no idea how we’re going to pay for it,’ Beshear said candidly.” (Editorial, “Medicaid Expansion Will Cost Taxpayers,” The Paducah Sun, 2/13/11)

GOV. BRIAN SCHWEITZER (D-MT): “I’m going to have to double my patient load and run the risk of bankrupting Montana…” (“Montana Looks North For Health Care That Works,” Yes Magazine, 10/21/11)

·         “In 2014, when the PPACA kicks in, many of the uninsured will be given the opportunity to enroll in Medicaid. With this change, Schweitzer expects the state’s Medicaid population to double, creating a huge financial burden on the state of Montana under the current health care system.” (“Montana Looks North For Health Care That Works,” Yes Magazine, 10/21/11)

·         “The governor told Marguerite Salazar, a regional director of the Department of Health and Human Services, that Congress has designed a ‘pack of crap’ that gives away far too much to the pharmaceutical industry.” (“Schweitzer Calls For Universal Health Care,” The Associated Press, 9/28/11)

GOV. JERRY BROWN (D-CA): “We will be further disadvantaged under the Medicaid expansions mandated under the Affordable Care Act … proposals to shift several billion dollars in Medicaid costs to California would be devastating and would clearly move us in the wrong direction.” (Gov. Jerry Brown, Letter To President Obama, 6/27/11)

GOV. CHRISTINE GREGOIRE (D-WA): “Some states with Democratic governors, including Washington, are also quietly pressing for the change. ‘We’re asking for cooperation… so that we can work our way through what is a very challenging time for us,’ Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire said at a meeting of the National Governors Association in Washington this weekend, where curbing Medicaid costs was a top issue.” (“Governors Scramble To Rein In Medicaid,” The Wall Street Journal, 2/28/11)