As most of us have heard, a health care CEO was recently murdered in New York City. It goes without saying that no one should ever condone this kind of violence. However, it has unleashed anger across the nation about a health care system that serves the financial interests of stockholders and executives at the expense of the health and lives of people across the country.
Opinion
I am not one of the millions covered by UnitedHealthcare, or any other form of insurance for that matter, because I am one of the 19,000 Wyomingites who fall into the coverage gap.
I’m stuck without health insurance after a series of life events including leaving my job to care for my sick mother and then my husband. After my husband passed away, I tried looking for a job but have not had any luck. I live off the small amount of life insurance that my husband left behind. I am denied Medicaid for the simple fact that I don’t have small children in my home.
It’s scary. I pray to God each day that I can stay healthy. A broken arm falling on ice or, even worse, some sort of significant illness could lead to a lifetime of debt. Our health care system just isn’t working for most of us, and I can relate to the frustrations others have expressed when it comes to navigating the health care landscape in America.
Unfortunately, Wyoming stacks additional challenges on top of those already endemic to the broken American system. We rank at the lower end when it comes to many health care indicators, including lack of maternity services, expensive insurance costs, and dwindling access to doctors and nurses in rural communities. We are also one of only ten states that have not closed the coverage gap by expanding Medicaid.
In Wyoming, a family of three making $11,619 makes “too much” to qualify for Medicaid, according to a report recently published by Community Catalyst. Most people can’t imagine living off this little. This makes it nearly impossible for many to get health coverage, including 1,038 direct-care workers who provide things like home health care and nursing services.
We should also keep in mind that Wyoming is aging fast; according to a report published by the state’s Economic Analysis Division, between 2022 and 2023, the state’s elderly population grew by 3.5%, while the state’s total population only rose 0.4%. Many of us will have to make hard choices about how to care for those we love.
Universal access to affordable health care is critical to the long-term health of our families, friends and neighbors.
As the only state in the West that has not closed the gap, Wyoming has missed out on $1 billion in federal resources and more than a decade of opportunity that could have saved lives and improved health for so many.
I realize there is no miracle cure for all that ails health care in America. I do know that Medicaid works, and expanding access to Medicaid would help me and many others in this beautiful state.
I encourage the incoming Legislature to listen to the people’s anger at the current health care system and do something about it. Pass Medicaid expansion, close the coverage gap and help Wyoming become a healthier place to live.
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