PA. is losing out on 35,000 health care jobs by refusing Federal $ for Medical Assistance expansion

[JPZenger]

http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR200/RR256/RAND_RR256.pdf

(skip down to the summary on page 13)

A new study by the Rand Corporation looks at the impacts if PA. continues to refuse to accept federal dollars to pay to serve additional persons under the Medical Assistance Program.

The study found that by 2016, PA. would be missing out on $2.5 billion a year in federal funding. These are dollars that PA. residents and businesses are already sending to Washington, but that would not be returned to PA.

The study found that 35,000 health care jobs in PA. would result from accepting the federal money.

Because of economic multipliers, the $2.5 billion in additional federal money would also result in other economic activity, such as from new workers renting apartments, buying homes, shopping, buying cars, etc.

Although PA. would be expected to absorb a portion of the costs in future years, the study found that many of these costs would be offset by $241 million a year in additional state tax revenue that would result.

350,000 more Pennsylvanians would have health insurance if the federal money is accepted.

Although not addressed in the summary, another important issue is that many inner city hospitals would be more stable financially if their amount of uncompensated and charity care would be reduced by having more persons being insured. The current system encourages new modern hospitals and medical centers to be placed in affluent suburban areas where most of the nearby residents have health care. Meanwhile, the inner-city hospitals have trouble paying for needed upgrades and are not seeing the same level of investment.

[Tippy]

1. What about Hospital closures...Here in TN apx. 30 will be put out of business?

[atreides1]

2. Well

I'm sure the religious overlords in TN will refer everyone to a faith healer...and if the patient doesn't survive it'll be seen as a punishment from God!

[JPZenger]

4. Yes, a number of hospitals have closed in PA, NJ and NY

Yes, a number of hospitals have closed over the past few years, mainly in cities. Meanwhile, several new hospitals have been built in affluent suburbs in PA. That shows the division between the haves and have-nots in regards to health insurance.

[Divernan]

5. "Non-profit" UPMC closed hospitals in poor/minority communities

Braddock and Aliquippa to name two - but built a huge facility in suburban Monroeville, right next to an existing hospital of a competitor, Forbes Regional.

Here's what "non-profit" UPMC considers serving the community: "A gleaming glass structure where patients can check out iPads or iPods and order meals directly from a cafeteria that features a brick stove, and where patients enjoy the meal as they watch a program on a 46-inch widescreen television in their private room." Does that drive health insurance rates up or what!?!? But fuck-all for the poor communities, who do not need 46 inch screen tee-vees - but by-god emergency care!

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/news/forbes-regional-and-upmc-east-stake-their-claims-in-monroeville-675318/#ixzz2VvQJF4dL

[dragonlady]

3. Wisconsin will feel that pain too

On top of denying coverage to about 85,000 people, the Republican rejection of Medicaid expansion will mean forgoing jobs. I heard it said by a state representative that this would cost 1,000 new jobs in one of the counties in her district, and it isn't one of the biggest counties, either.

[Tippy]

6. What do you think about Hospitals admiting everyone who walks through their doors

Knowing full well these patients will never be able to pay their bill...they order every test imaginable...It happens a lot in small hospitals...