New York Times Publishes ACAP Letter to the Editor

“Health Reform, the States and Medicaid” (editorial, Jan. 10) explained the value of expanding Medicaid, and rightly called for the House’s higher eligibility limits. Medicaid offers more comprehensive benefits at a cost low-income people can afford, and enlarging Medicaid is a less costly way to provide coverage than subsidizing private insurance premiums.

Congress should recognize the realities of strained state budgets and disparities among states, but it must keep its eye on the ball. Providing affordable coverage for low-income Americans is not just “one of the important goals” of reform, as you say; it should be the top priority. After all, reform should aid those who need help the most, and Medicaid is a proven and cost-effective way to do so. The larger the expansion, the better reform will meet that goal.

New York Times Publishes ACAP Letter to the Editor

“Health Reform, the States and Medicaid” (editorial, Jan. 10) explained the value of expanding Medicaid, and rightly called for the House’s higher eligibility limits. Medicaid offers more comprehensive benefits at a cost low-income people can afford, and enlarging Medicaid is a less costly way to provide coverage than subsidizing private insurance premiums.

Congress should recognize the realities of strained state budgets and disparities among states, but it must keep its eye on the ball. Providing affordable coverage for low-income Americans is not just “one of the important goals” of reform, as you say; it should be the top priority. After all, reform should aid those who need help the most, and Medicaid is a proven and cost-effective way to do so. The larger the expansion, the better reform will meet that goal.