Medicaid stance worrisome

While watching The Seattle Times “Live Chat” with Republican Rob McKenna [seattletimes.com], I saw he took a noncommittal stand on expanding Medicaid coverage, coverage that will ensure thousands of people get access to health care. We can’t afford not to do this.

Individuals can’t afford it. Without the expansion of Medicaid, individuals will continue covering the costs of the uninsured through expensive emergency-room care. We currently pay hundreds of dollars more in premiums each year to cover those costs.

Washington’s economy and all those unemployed can’t afford it. The expansion of Medicaid will generate an estimated $2 billion each year and substantial job growth.

McKenna sued to repeal the Affordable Care Act because he said it was unconstitutional. Now that the Supreme Court has said he was wrong, he is saying we can’t afford it. Washington can’t afford to elect a governor who isn’t committed to the health of its citizens and the health of our economy.

— Eric Fischer, Seattle