Why expanding Medicaid is a no brainer and how it helps get people back to work after a workplace injury.
Senate Republican leaders failed to put Medicaid expansion up for a vote before summer recess. Michigan could now lose out on federal money to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Republican Governor Rick Snyder in a Free Press op-ed makes the case: “Those without health care insurance typically wait until their medical conditions are so severe that they no longer can ignore them, and then they go to an emergency room. Thats an expensive way for them to get care. Whats even worse is they have to suffer with their illnesses. Its not right, and its a failure for our society.”
Failure to act means low-income citizens will continue without appropriate medical care. Businesses and taxpayers will continue paying higher premiums to cover the cost of this uncompensated care.
How workers compensation can be impacted
Expansion of Medicaid allows individuals with disputed workers compensation claims to get medical treatment sooner. This allows people to recover and get back to work. This helps productivity and lowers business costs.
It also helps individuals get proof that their medical condition should have been covered under workers compensation. This forces insurance companies to pay valid claims and cover what would have been uncompensated care.
Business purchase insurance to cover workplace accidents. Insurance companies deny these claims to save money. Sick and injured people do not just disappear when claims are denied. We all pay the price.
Moving forward
We encourage you to contact your state senators and urge them to pass Medicaid expansion. This legislation helps low income individuals, business, and taxpayers.
Michigan law requires a person receiving Medicaid to notify the state when filing a workers compensation case. The state department has first priority against the proceeds of the net recovery from the settlement or judgment.
Call (855) 221-2667 to speak with one of our workers compensation lawyers in Michigan. Let’s keep the insurance companies honest about paying claims and make sure that taxpayers are not unnecessarily footing the bill.
– Alex Berman is the founder of Michigan Workers Comp Lawyers. Hes been representing injured and disabled workers exclusively for more than 35 years. Alex has helped countless people obtain workers compensation benefits and never charges a fee to review a case.
Related information:
Rick Snyder: Expanding Medicaid saves taxpayers of Michigan money – and lives
