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DHH Report: Could Be Savings In Medicaid Expansion

A new report by the state Department of Health and Hospitals shows Louisiana could save millions of dollars over the next decade by expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

The study, which was released  this week with little fanfare, shows Louisiana could save as much as $368 million over the next 10 years if it expands Medicaid. It also says in a “worst case scenario” expansion could cost the state around $1.7 billion over the same period.

Jan Moller of the Louisiana Budget Project, a non-profit that analyzes the effects of issues on low-to-moderate income families, said the study is significant since DHH oversee Medicaid expansion if it were to happen.

"We are glad it is now on the record for everyone to see that the state could possible save money if it goes ahead and does this very important thing for public health," said Moller. "But this really, first and foremost, is the governor’s decision to make and we hope the governor looks at this report and decides to move forward."

Gov. Bobby Jindal says he opposes expanding Medicaid because it’s too expensive and an inappropriate growth of a government entitlement program in need of reform. But proponents of expansion say it will insure an additional 400,000 Louisianians and save the state millions in uncompensated care costs.