Ivey could save struggling rural Alabama hospital ‘with one stroke of her pen,’ advocate says
Rickey StokesViewed: 1096
Posted by: RStokes
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Date: Sep 30 2024 11:07 AM
ALABAMA: Following the recent closure of a rural hospital, health care advocates are renewing calls for Gov. Kay Ivey to expand Medicaid access in Alabama but the governor still says her worry is how to pay for the expansion long-term.
“Ensuring Alabamians all across the state have access to quality health care is important to the governor,” said Gina Maiola, Communications Director for the governor. “However, on the question of expanding Medicaid, she remains concerned for how the state would pay for it long-term.”
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network of Alabama and Alabama Arise have called on Ivey to expand Medicaid access following the closure of Thomasville Regional Medical Center in Clarke County and worsening health care issues. Jane Adams, Government Relations Director for ACSCAN, said Ivey’s refusal to expand Medicaid would threaten more hospital closures and suffering for Alabamians especially in rural areas.
“Rural Alabamians who need immediate care will face potentially grave consequences of this predictable outcome. This is a result of the healthcare issues long present in Alabama, which Gov. Kay Ivey can easily change with one stroke of her pen. It is time for Gov. Ivey to allow Alabama to join 40 other states and enact Medicaid expansion,” Adams said in a statement.
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