HCAN: It’s Time for Governors in Michigan, Ohio, Florida, Texas, Maine and Other States to Do the Decent, Smart Thing and Use Generous Federal Funding to Cover Millions of Americans
Washington, DC – Here is a statement from Ethan Rome, executive director of Health Care for America Now, on Arizona’s decision to fully participate in the Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act:
“Arizona lawmakers have seen the light and are marching forward into the real world, and as a result the people they represent are the big winners. Gov. Jan Brewer had the courage to ignore militant Republicans who reflexively reject the Affordable Care Act because it’s associated with President Obama. Gov. Brewer deserves credit for putting responsible governing ahead of rank partisanship and using the powers of her office to break through the obstructionism.
“Months ago, Brewer realized what logical, compassionate people have known all along: accepting federal funds to extend Medicaid to 300,000 Arizonans is good for hospitals, businesses, state and local governments and, most importantly, people who need health care. When the legislature acted on Thursday, it was a great day for families and businesses in Arizona and for all Americans who believe solving problems is more important than scoring political points.
“Gov. Rick Snyder is steering Michigan toward a similar result that will help 400,000 individuals and strengthen communities. Other Republican governors should press their legislatures to find ways to take advantage of the generous Medicaid funding available under the Affordable Care Act. Eventually, all governors and state legislatures will rise above rigid ideology and embrace logic, math and compassion. The only question is, how long will they make their people wait?”
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Health Care for America Now, the nation’s leading grassroots health care coalition, led the fight to win health reform. HCAN works to promote the Affordable Care Act, protect Medicare and Medicaid, and keep Congress from being steamrolled by corporate special interests.