AL SJR41

Urges Governor Robert Bentley to expand Medicaid in Alabama under the Affordable Care Act to enhance health care access, promote economic activity, and create jobs.

Cites health disparities in Alabama including 20 percent higher emergency room visits than national average, 11.8 percent diabetes rate (fourth highest nationally), second lowest life expectancy, second highest heart disease mortality at 231.5 deaths per 100,000 people, and third highest infant mortality rate at 9.5 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Estimates approximately 300,000 additional Alabamians would become eligible for Medicaid if expanded to cover 133 percent of the 2012 federal poverty level ($23,050 for a family of four).

Projects 11.7 billion in federal dollars flowing into Alabama from 2014-2020 would generate $8.1 billion in additional economic activity and nearly $20 billion total; state expansion cost of $771 million would be offset by $935 million in increased state tax revenues.

Notes federal government covers 100 percent of expansion costs for three years starting in 2014, declining to 95 percent in 2017 and 90 percent in 2020.