Governor John Bel Edwards toured the new University Medical Center in New Orleans on Wednesday before launching the start of enrollment in the Medicaid expansion. Officials expect as many as 375,0000 more people will qualify for health care, with about one-third coming from the New Orleans region.
Governor Edwards signed his first executive order after taking office in January, expanding Medicaid coverage in Louisiana. As signups begin, he called that order his “easiest big decision.”
Expanded Medicaid coverage mostly helps the working poor under the Affordable Care Act. It’s the first state approved by the federal government to link enrollment and eligibility to food stamps.
Edwards says he’s confident that Medicaid health coverage will withstand any opposition that may build in future administrations in Washington.
“At some point the momentum behind health care coverage catches a winds all its own, and it will be very difficult for that political wind to change direction – especially once we start showing people we are producing healthier citizenry, more productive citizenry," he said.
State Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee says people will now have much more control over their health.
“You can no longer use the excuse of no health care access. Now you have to eat better, exercise and take better care of yourselves so that we can be a healthier state, which is ultimately our goal," she said.
Medicaid expansion will cover adults ages 19 to 64 making up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. That’s about $16,200 for a single adult or $33,400 for a family of four.