Expanding Medicaid Benefits the Taxpayer Too

On July 13, 2012, Joseph Fishkin, an assistant professor at the University of Texas School of Law, wrote a commentary in the Austin American Statesman regarding Gov. Rick Perry's recent statements that Texas should turn down the money offered by the federal government to expand the state's Medicaid program. Fishkin explained the benefits of Texas expanding this much needed program, that tax payers in the state would be getting a very good return on what they would be forced to invest into this program. He brought up a very serious and valid point: that even if we do not take the money, other states will and Texans will still be paying for this program through their federal taxes. Fishkin maintains that our tax dollars will continuously flow out but we won't be getting our share back. In essence, we will be getting nothing for our forced investments into this program. He stated that expanding the Medicaid program would tremendously help lower-income, uninsured people (obviously) and argued that Perry's desire to turn down the federal funding is purely political. I completely agree with Fishkin. I have read several other articles concerning the expansion of the Medicaid program, and the statistics don't lie. So, even though Fishkin is merely stating his opinion (again, I agree with everything he wrote), he is using solid figures (Kaiser) to support his argument. It's apparent to me that while Fishkin is most likely writing to readers that agree with the healthcare reform, he is also trying to reach out to those who agree with Gov. Perry. Hopefully, a few will take heed to what he is asserting. He is, after all, a professor at one of the top law schools in the country.