LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Georgia should expand Medicaid

To the Editor:

Forbes ranks Georgia the worst state in the country for health care. We have extremely high rates of uninsured people, maternal and child mortality, HIV, cancer, strokes, etc.

Medicaid expansion would cover poor adult Georgians who can’t afford health care — medical care, and also help for mental illness and substance abuse.

It would save lives. It would prevent permanent disabilities, because sick and injured people could get the help they need to get back to work. It would help keep our hospitals open, keeping doctors and nurses in our communities for everyone.

Forty states have fully expanded Medicaid. Georgia turns away over 3 billion federal dollars a year. We need a simple, efficient system, not one that rewards insurance companies.

Over two-thirds of Georgians support fully expanding Medicaid. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Contact your legislators now.

Dr. Karen Kinsell

Fort Gaines

Dr. Karen Kinsell directs the Clay County Medical Center in Fort Gaines.