Alabama lawmakers talk Medicaid expansion
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Some lawmakers are concerned about rural healthcare in Alabama after Jackson Hospital in Montgomery filed for bankruptcy earlier in the week.
In a statement, Jackson Hosptial said a bankruptcy will allow it to restructure, yet some lawmakers see it as a warning sign.
'I think Jackson Hospital, their bankruptcy unfortunately may be the tip of the iceberg,' said Dr. Don Williamson, president of the Alabama Hospital Association. 'The same factors that were operating for them have been operating in rural hospitals across the state.'
Williamson said facilities are dealing with low reimbursement rates and uninsured patients. The answer, he explained, is expanding Medicaid.
'Those beds are gone for everybody. They're not just gone for Medicaid patients or the uninsured,' Williamson said. 'They're gone for Blue Cross patients. They're gone for United patients. They're gone for everybody.'
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Williamson said hospital closures affect everyone. State Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) agreed. He said Medicaid expansion is greatly needed.
'We need something that aggressive,' Singleton said. 'So we need to do something in the state. I don't care if you call it Obamacare. I don't care if you call it 'Kay Care' but just need some care.'
State Rep. Chris Sells (R-Greenville), however, explained Alabama is one of the lowest paid states when it comes to Medicare reimbursements. He said state dollars should be used wisely.
'The state budgets are still good, but they're beginning to slow down, and we have to watch carefully what we do with our money,' Sells said. 'Some states have a billion-dollar deficit. In Alabama, we don't have that. So we're working hard to maintain that.'
Sells explained he would be open to Medicaid expansion, but that's not the only answer.
'I do know that Medicaid expansion would not solve a lot of our problems,' Sells said. 'It will fill a small gap and that will help these hospitals some. But it will not be enough, I don't think, to really make a huge difference.'
Jackson Hospital said the bankruptcy gives it breathing room to explore alternatives and ensure its future.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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