Medicaid Expansion Has Created New Jobs and Benefited Thousands of Pennsylvanians

When Governor Tom Wolf took office back in 2015, one of his first acts was to expand Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program. The ability to expand the state’s Medicaid program by leveraging federal funding was provided for under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (a.k.a. Obamacare), but former governor Tom Corbett had declined to take the federal government up on it.

Under Governor Wolf’s Medicaid expansion, the income threshold to qualify for the program was lowered, allowing access to affordable healthcare for more than 700,000 Pennsylvanians that were previously shut out. This has resulted in a drop in the Commonwealth’s uninsured rate from 10.2% in 2010 to an all-time low of under 6% as of 2018.

The expansion of Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program has provided another benefit to the Commonwealth as well – job creation. More patients receiving the care they need has provided thousands of new jobs for the healthcare industry and the industries it supports. In Allentown alone, hundreds of jobs in the downtown area were preserved or added because of this initiative, providing a strong boost to the local economy.

How Medicaid Expansion Impacts those Who are Injured

When someone suffers a moderate to severe injury that was the fault of another party, one of the most important first steps that must be taken is to seek prompt medical treatment. But as we all know, people who do not have health coverage are far less likely to go in to see a doctor. This can mean precious time lost before the symptoms finally become bad enough that they can no longer be ignored, and the condition becomes far more serious.

With three quarters of a million more Pennsylvanians gaining access to Medicaid, going into a hospital or clinic to get checked out after an accident is far less of a concern for lower income families throughout the Commonwealth. And for many who have been injured in any type of accident, the barrier to obtaining quality medical care has been removed.

There are still some who suffer personal injuries in Pennsylvania that are uninsured. When this is the case, they should still go in for medical care right away. In some cases, they may qualify for Medicaid without even knowing it, but even if they don’t, emergency rooms still must provide acute care regardless of your ability to pay. The important thing is that you get treated right away, so you can get on the road to recovery. The financial aspect of your treatment will be sorted out during the accident injury claims process.

Injured in an Accident in Pennsylvania? Contact Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman for Assistance

If you or a loved one got injured because of the negligence or reckless actions of another party, get immediate medical treatment, then contact Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman to discuss your legal rights and options. Message us online or call our office today at 412-391-9860 or toll-free at 866-466-5789 for a free consultation with a member of our legal team. We look forward to serving you!