Study looks at benefits of Medicaid expansion in South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - South Carolina remains one of 10 states that have opted not to expand Medicaid since it became an option about a decade ago.
But a new study finds around 340,000 South Carolinians could benefit if the state changes course.
The report was commissioned by a group of nearly 200 nonprofits and stakeholders interested in closing the health care gap in South Carolina.
It aims to show the benefits of Medicaid expansion – long considered something of a third rail at the Republican-dominated South Carolina State House.
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“We need to improve health outcomes in South Carolina. We know Medicaid expansion will do that,” said Teresa Arnold,
who chairs the Cover SC Coalition.
Nearly half a million South Carolinians were uninsured in 2022 – about one in 10 people in the state. But researchers believe that figure is likely higher now than it was two years ago.
The study reports expanding Medicaid could benefit not only South Carolina’s health outcomes – but also its economy.
It estimates around 30,000 new jobs would be created across all 46 counties – attributing that to Medicaid dollars going to health care providers and then spreading out from there.
“If they’re employed, typically speaking, they’re better off,” said Leighton Ku of George Washington University’s Center for Health Policy Research. “They’re able to meet their mortgage. They’re able to help their children go to school and meet all those bills. So there are other economic goods that ripple through.”
The study says South Carolina would gain more than $8 billion in federal funds in the first three years of expansion – with the amount of money the state would need to put in – offset by federal bonus funding.
“South Carolina taxpayers are paying their taxes, and they are essentially subsidizing Medicaid expansion in other states,” Ku said.
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But it’s unlikely South Carolina will seriously consider this action anytime soon.
A provision in the new state budget would’ve formed a committee to study health care reforms – including South Carolina taking a legitimate look for the first time ever at Medicaid expansion.
A spokesman for Gov. Henry McMaster says he remains unconvinced about the findings of reports like this one.
McMaster vetoed the study committee while acknowledging a need to improve access to quality, affordable health care.
“I believe that studying and working toward the goal is worthy, but a five-month study committee, I think, would not produce the kind of results and may actually slow us down,” McMaster said.
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