Update on study from George Washington University  

 

POLK COUNTY—A new analyses by the Center for Health Policy Research at George Washington University indicates that by expanding Medicaid this year, it will lead to greater economic activity and employment. The study shows that with the expansion of Medicaid, billions of federal dollars will flow in to the medical field to support the costs of insurance expansions. 

The study by George Washington University has predicted that by expanding Medicaid in North Carolina, the state would receive approximately $11.7 billion more in federal funding from 2020 to 2022. The study also anticipated that an additional 600,000 North Carolina residents would be covered by Medicaid by the year 2022.  

The Center for Health Policy Research also believe it could become a central part of the North Carolina economy at the state and county level.  “Medicaid expansion would be an engine for economic growth that creates over 37,000 more jobs by 2022. It would also increase state and county tax revenues by over $600 million from 2020 to 2022.” 

The study suggested that about half of the jobs created as a result of Medicaid expansion would be in the health care field, either in hospitals or clinics, while the other half would be in a wide variety of sectors ranging from construction to retail.  The Center for Health Policy Research has dubbed that the “ripple effect” of Medicaid funding as the surrounding areas would benefit from the economic prosperity of new healthcare workers. 

What this could mean for Polk County residents is that many more residents would benefit from Medicaid coverage in addition to an increase in economic growth and revenue.  The statement from George Washington University says that four of the biggest benefits for Polk County are; “44 more jobs created in 2022, 1,216 more people who will get Medicaid in 2022, $5.8 million more growth in the county’s economy from 2020 to 2022, and $102.3 thousand more in county tax revenues form 2020 to 2022.”  

For more information and the full results of the Center for Health Policy’s Research, visit “The Economic and Employment Benefits of Expanding Medicaid in North Carolina: A 2019 Update” at www.NCMedicaidExpansion.com.  

By Samuel Robinson 

Sam.robinson@tryondailybulletin.com