There has been heated debate over whether Utah should keep or completely do away with a proposed Medicaid expansion. Retaining the proposed Medicaid expansion is the right way to go.

The Medicaid expansion is cost-effective. According to FAMILIES USA in 2019, each month without the Medicaid expansion attracted $6.6 million in losses. 

Under the partial payment scenario, only those who earn up to 100% of the federal poverty level were considered. At the same time, the Medicaid full expansion will see to it that those who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level are considered. 

The full expansion will also relieve Utah state from hefty costs. The federal government will pay for 90% of all expenses compared to the previous package, where the federal government pays 70% of the costs. For Utah, the increased federal funding scenario is the better option.

We should keep the expansion but be cautious to avoid the costs other states that have implemented full Medicaid expansion have accrued. 

Healthcare costs are slowly surging to alarming heights. However, we should not think of healthcare from the cost point of view but rather see it as a worthy investment in the Utah population. For every dollar channeled into the Medicare expansion program, there is an equal return from it.