MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A number of organizations have joined together to promote expanded health care access for low-income Alabamians who don’t currently qualify for Medicaid.
The new coalition is called Alabama’s Better Economy Starts Today, or Alabama’s BEST. It will advocate expanding access to health care by allowing more Alabamians to participate in the Medicaid program – or by developing an Alabama-driven alternative to expand access to care.
The effort is vital for the health of Alabama’s people and its economy. Studies by the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabama conclude that expanded coverage would provide access for 300,000 Alabamians, almost two-thirds of whom are employed, and create 30,000 new jobs in health care and other industries as well.
A website, www.alabamasbest.org, will continue to highlight the facts related to expanded health coverage.
A recent addition is lasts week’s study from The Commonwealth Fund, which underscores the fact that states like Alabama will pay the cost of expanding Medicaid elsewhere but will reap none of the benefits.
Partners in Alabama’s BEST to date include: Alabama Arise, AARP Alabama, Alabama Hospital Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, American Heart Association, the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program, the Jefferson County Children’s Policy Cooperative, Alabama Primary Health Care Association, Disabilities Leadership Coalition of Alabama, Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health Center, Alabama Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Children’s First Foundation, AIDS Service Organizations in Alabama, Family Voices of Alabama, American Association of University Women of Alabama and NAMI Alabama.
