Do you think that the poor workers that don't have health insurance in red states are truly in need?

Some of them are in need. There was a good article, I believe on NBC News, recently, about a pair of nurses in West Virginia who travel around in a renovated RV giving medical care to people in poor parts of the state. These people would certainly benefit from having access to insurance.

As for why some state's aren't expanding, the general objection given is cost. Even though the federal government pays 100% of the cost of expansion in the first couple of years, there will be some cost to the states. After those first, IIRC three, years, the federal government will only pay 90% of the cost of the expansion. This will leave the states with an increase in spending to take care of.

But the real reason is that these states are run by Republicans and they oppose Obamacare. With Republicans at the federal level unable to repeal Obamacare, one of the few ways they can strike a blow against the law is by refusing to participate in the Medicaid expansion

Keep in mind that the Medicaid expansion is funded by the ACA for a LIMITED time, then it must be funded by the states and CANNOT BE REPEALED once put in place. Therefore, the ACA LOCKS states into extra funding they probably cannot afford. A wise state would not take the expansion.

To solve the problems here, the root cause needs to be addressed--how do we slow rising costs in the first place? That question has yet to be answered or even addressed by the left.

The Warlock

I live in utah which fits this exact definition. I am also an application counselor for Obamacare/Medicaid/Chip and work at a non-profit helping people with that.

I see people everyday that fit into the so called "medigap" where they aren't eligible for medicaid and they aren't eligible for Obamacare.

I don't understand why states reject expanding medicaid when it is their own pax tayer dollars being sent right back to the state to help fund it. It's like rejecting our own money in a way.

So yes I think some type of program should be expanded to cover the working poor. Some work just as hard or even harder as others making a lot more. So I guess we will see what happens in some of the states that haven't expanded yet!

They still have medicaid and Obamacare even if the state didnt start an exchange or expand Medicaid

What are you even arguing for poor people have coverage.

sure.... pity so many able-bodied 20-something in urban blue districts can now stay home, earn food stamps and smoke weed all on the taxpayer's dime...

...don't like it? better not complain, there's a lot of head-bobbing sheep out there who will burst into tears and accuse you of taking on a "let 'em all starve" mentality..

....you know those kids....... right?

The poor workers you are so concerned about can't pay the very high deductibles required by Obama Care. Try reading the ACA and stop depending on the media and the DNC for your "information".

quit bagging groceries at walmart, and learn a trade that a trained monkey cant do. I have no pity for an adult choosing walmart as a career, and wanting me to foot their welfare bill. Get a real job, and put in the time, money, and grueling years of struggle to get that diploma or journeyman status as a tradesman. Quit being an idiot and expecting us to foot your bill because youre lazy.

What happened to the employer mandate? oh that's right, 0bama gave out thousands of "waivers" which would have forced employers to provide coverage for these "poor employees."

It is not the state's role to provide healthcare for anyone.

down the road the states will have to pay it, and they don't want to be bankrupted by federal mandates