While the uninsured rate has reached a new record low, not every state is benefiting from Obamacare as much as they could be.
According to a study from the Commonwealth Fund, residents of states that have refused to expand Medicaid are far more likely than others to have medical debt. Furthermore, some are more likely than others to have medical problems that haven't been addressed.
In New York and California, 18 percent of people had a medical problem but did not visit a doctor because of cost constraints. In Florida and Texas, the rate is higher, at 29 percent and 26 percent, respectively.
Likewise, in New York and California, 11 percent and 9 percent of people, respectively, were contacted by a collection agency about medical bills. In contrast, in Florida and Texas, the rate is 17 percent and 21 percent.
The official position of Texas lawmakers could be summed up as 'death before Obamacare,' but until recently the status of Medicaid expansion in Florida was up in the air.
The Florida state legislature has long opposed the expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare while Governor Rick Scott supported the expansion, but last week Governor Scott changed his mind for a second time.
For reasons that are entirely fatuous, Republican governors and state legislatures have decided that death and crushing medical debt is preferable to expanding a healthcare program for the poor.
It has been some time since we discussed the finer points and details of the program so I will reiterate that the federal government will cover 100 percent of the cost of Medicaid expansion for the next two years and will cover up to 95 percent of the cost for the foreseeable future.
Republican objections to the expansion are purely ideological with no virtually financial stake except for that which they stand to gain. There is nothing to lose.