Midwest Voices

Barb Shelly

The Kansas City Star

Opposing a Medicaid expansion could prove to be a political liability for Missouri Republicans, according to a poll commissioned by the Missouri Hospital Association.

The survey of registered voters, by the Republican polling firm American Viewpoint Inc. of Alexandria, Va., found that Missourians overall support expanding Medicaid limits, as called for in the federal Affordable Care Act. After hearing a “balanced set” of arguments for and against the proposal, 56 percent favored expansion and 35 percent opposed it.

Pollsters found that Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, who favors the expansion, is regarded much more favorably by voters than Republicans in the legislature, who present the obstacle.

Opposing an expansion, the pollsters warned, could “drive down the GOP brand further with swing voters.” Independent women voters were strongly supportive of expanding Medicaid limits.

Pollsters found that a majority of Republican voters who heard the arguments pro and con still opposed expanding Medicaid, but only 14 percent said they were be less likely to vote for a legislator who helped get an expansion passed.

“Given the other accomplishments that the GOP legislature should have regarding fiscal discipline and social issues, this isn’t an issue that should greatly impact a GOP legislator’s standing with the base,” the pollsters concluded.

The polling consultants concluded that the Missouri GOP would be better off working for reforms in the Medicaid system, such as ferreting out fraud and abuse, than opposing an expansion.

Some Republican lawmakers, including House members Jay Barnes of Jefferson City and Chris Molendorp of Belton, are working on that kind of strategy. Their ideas include copays for Medicaid recipients, incentives for wise use of medical services, and competition among managed care companies.

There is reason to hope the Missouri General Assembly will pass a bill this year that would make health insurance available to many more low-income people. As Nixon, who is pushing the issue tirelessly, says, it is the “smart thing to do and the right thing to do.”

And it appears, for Republicans, that finding a way to expand Medicaid is also the politically savvy thing to do.

Comments

1. 

   Carl Bearden

   2 months, 2 weeks ago

   Expansion is a loser for state taxpayers not the GOP. Not one seat was lost when Medicaid was significantly cut in 2005 and none will be lost because the GOP didn’t spend more federal/borrowed money.

   Fact is American Viewpoit Polls have in the past been skewed to come up with the answers their client want.

   Fact is that if you go into a campaign with only 56% support your issue will lose. IN this case, when the real cons of expansion are outlined by the indiviudal candidates in their districts they will win.

   The legislature needs to reform existing Medicaid, not expand the current broken system. IF they do that, the voters will reward them for doing the right thing.

2. 

   Scott Charton

   2 months, 2 weeks ago

   Looks like a pretty conservative array of American Viewpoint polling clients among Missouri Republicans on the company’s list, so they must trust them: Vicky Hartzler, Ed Martin, Todd Akin, Roy Blunt, Matt Blunt, Jim Talent, Peter Kinder, Blaine Luetkemeyer and Tom Schweich. Not to mention Newt Gingrich and Allen West outside Missouri. A roll call of conservatives.

3. 

   Sean Soendker Nicholson

   2 months, 2 weeks ago

   Carl — Do you have any facts to back up your claim that American Viewpoint Inc. is lying? Or any reputable polling of your own?

4. 

   George Hunsucker

   Northland

   2 months, 2 weeks ago

   Our legislators should stand their ground and NOT expand Medicaid. Let these people go onto the vaunted insurance exchanges that zero has promised will be sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo inexpensive….

   Or, move to the bankrupt state of IL which is of course embracing the free “stuff” from the Federal Govt., which of course will borrow the money to pay for the expansion…

   libs are such a hoot……

5. 

   Mark Robertson

   2 months, 2 weeks ago

   Noted Barb. Thanks for trying to help Republicans stay in office. Actually, refusing to expand Medicaid is about saving the country. Unfortunately, 8 Republican governors have caved. They are the one who will face reelection challenges. Obamacare is and will break this nation. What a catastrophic disaster. Thank you. Mark Robertson Independence

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