You may have seen Medicaid in the news recently. If so, you likely have questions. Last week, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama publicly proposed a new plan for Alabama health care called ALLHealth. This plan would use federal funding for Medicaid expansion to buy private health coverage for Alabamians with incomes between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty line.

Alabama Arise is a founding member of the Cover Alabama coalition, which has advocated for years to expand Medicaid and ensure every Alabamian can get the health care they need to survive and thrive. Below, Cover Alabama has outlined key recommendations for any health care proposal addressing the critical issue of Alabama’s health coverage gap. You also can view this graphic here.

We will continue to evaluate the ALLHealth plan as news emerges.

AN ALABAMA SOLUTION: CLOSING THE HEALTH COVERAGE GAP A plan to close the health coverage gap in Alabama must... Closing the health coverage gap will protect hospitals, increase workforce participation, provide health coverage to 5,000 uninsured veterans and improve access to mental health services. Alabama could receive a signing bonus of $619 million in federal funding over two years while extending health coverage to nearly 200,000 Alabamians. A plan to close the health coverage gap in Alabama must...Covers adults with incomes between 0% and 138% of the federal poverty level. Protects rural access to health care. Supports labor force participation by keeping workers healthy. Minimizes administrative barriers and red tape to obtaining health coverage. Maximizes federal dollars to reduce state costs and ensure the long-term financial health of Medicaid. Addresses wraparound services, including non-emergency medical transportation. Ensures access to all medically appropriate drugs. Increases insurance coverage across ethnic, racial, age and income groups.

Further reading:

Alabama Daily News: Blue Cross shares ‘ALL Health’ Medicaid plan with local leaders

Alabama Reflector: BCBS of Alabama proposes state insurance program using Medicaid expansion funds

Alabama Reflector: It’s our best shot at Medicaid expansion in Alabama. Can it survive Trump?

WAFF 48, Huntsville: Advocates continue to push Governor Kay Ivey to expand Medicaid

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P.O. Box 1188 | Montgomery, Alabama 36101
(334) 832-9060 | [email protected]

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