NAPH Chief Warns of 'Disaster' if States Don't Expand Medicaid

HLM: What's the solution? Obviously you wish states would not decline the expansion?

Siegel: Yes. We hope, I hope, that citizens put pressure on their states to expand and I hope that HHS (the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) finds a way to cajole the states into expanding. And I hope that Congress restores the DSH cuts. But hope is not policy.

We need real action on this, but now we have gridlock in Washington that is going to go at least through the election. And 13 million people may not get coverage and may not have a safety net because of gridlock.

HLM: Where will the biggest impact from this hit?

Siegel: The biggest gap in coverage will be in Texas and Florida, and smaller [impact] in other states.