LITTLE ROCK — The bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock endorsed Medicaid expansion Thursday, saying Catholic doctrine’s “pro-life” tradition compels him to “support and encourage” adding up to 250,000 Arkansans to the rolls of the $5 billion program.
“Respecting life and its inherent dignity should always be guiding principles in legislative decisions,” wrote Bishop Anthony B. Taylor in a statement.
Although some estimates predict hundreds of millions of dollars in net savings to the state if lawmakers decide to expand the program as allowed by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, money isn’t the only factor, Taylor wrote.
“Catholic support is not based on dollars and cents,” Taylor wrote.
Gov. Mike Beebe was “glad to hear” of the bishop’s support. Beebe has led the effort for expansion, the dominant issue of the legislative session.
Republicans have been reluctant to embrace enlarging the rolls with individuals earning up to 138percent of the poverty level, or about $15,000 a year. They worry about future costs and a possible withdrawal of federal support in the years ahead.
Congress has promised to fully pay for expansion until 2017. By 2020, the state’s share will rise to 10 percent.
Rep. John Burris, a Harrison Republican and House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee chairman, said he didn’t think Taylor’s support would influence the debate.
“I think there are lots of opinions, but what people are spending time on is facts and numbers,” Burris said.
Front Section, Pages 3 on 02/01/2013