Letter to Hon. Mitch McConell, Minority Leader, Hon. Charles Schumer, Majority Leader, Hon. Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader, and Hon. Nancy Pelosi - Solution to the Medicaid Coverage Gap

Statement

Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, and Minority Leader McCarthy:

As you know, President Biden's Build Back Better agenda is rooted in achieving equity for low-income and minority communities. The agenda includes a number of substantial changes which would advance these goals, and expanding access to health care is a critical component of building a more just and equitable society. Accordingly, as discussions continue around the budget reconciliation bill, we urge you to prioritize the inclusion of a permanent, comprehensive fix for the Medicaid coverage gap in non-expansion states.

We have consistently reiterated the moral imperative of closing the Medicaid coverage gap. Despite the substantial financial incentives to do so, Georgia and eleven other states refuse to expand Medicaid. Importantly, the coverage gap disproportionately impacts Black and brown communities. Roughly 60% of those in the Medicaid coverage gap are people of color.

Access to health care is one of the top indicators of health outcomes, and non-expansion states' refusal to expand Medicaid has cost our constituents dearly. Studies repeatedly show that uninsured people are less likely to receive preventative care and services for chronic disease and major health conditions. Delaying preventative services leads to an increased risk of diagnoses for late-stage cancer diagnosis or other serious diseases, and increases cost for both the patient and the health care system .

As a result, uninsured adults also face higher mortality rates compared to those with health insurance. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact for our nation's overall health and economy. Over half a million people in the coverage gap were essential or front-line workers and many more are employed in other vital sectors such as transportation. Medicaid expansion is also especially vital for rural hospitals, safety net hospitals, and community health centers, which open health access to vulnerable communities and communities of color. Since 2010, Georgia and South Carolina, both of which have not expanded Medicaid, had the most rural hospital closures in the nation.

Earlier this year, Georgia's Senators ran on a promise to close the coverage gap in non-expansion states and secured the Democratic majority in the Senate. We must finally fulfill the promise Congress made when it passed the Affordable Care Act and ensure that the poorest individuals and families in our nation have access to health care by closing the Medicaid coverage gap in the Build Back Better Act.

Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration. I look forward to working together to deliver for the millions of Americans in the Medicaid coverage gap.