MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -
The number of people eligible for Alabama's Medicaid program could increase by as much as 40% if the United States Supreme Court upholds the entire Affordable Care Act.
The Justices are expected to rule on President Obama's signature legislative accomplishment Thursday morning.
According to figures provided the Medicaid Agency, as many as 300,000 adults between the ages of 18 and 65 would become eligible for the state-funded healthcare system starting in 2014. The additional hundred thousand could include younger people.
Alabama's Public Health Officer cautioned that an expansion of the program, could hinder the state's ability to provide care.
"We are struggling to pay for Medicaid as it is now" Dr. Don Williamson said. "I cannot envision how we will manage to pay for seven hundred million additional dollars."
The Medicaid Agency provides care for approximately one million poor and underprivileged eligible people in the state. Williamson said that adding more people to the rolls does not mean better healthcare services for those who need them.
Dr. Williamson said, "Guaranteeing a Medicaid card does not guarantee access."
The reason for the likely shortfall in services, according to the agency, is the lack of doctors all over Alabama. 65 of Alabama's 67 counties are currently classified as having physician shortages.
The bill for the Medicaid expansion will not fall entirely on Alabama at first.
When the expansion takes effect in 2014, the federal government will pay for the program in its entirety until 2017. From 2017 to 2019 the federal government will cover 90% of the cost with the state making up the 10% difference.
Dr. Williamson warned that starting in 2019, Alabama would have to pay for the entire expansion on its own.
If the Supreme Court strikes down the entire Affordable Care Act then Dr. Williamson advocated the some kind of state-level healthcare exchange be set up to provide care for those without health insurance.
"I think there is certainly an argument for Alabama to create a vehicle whereby people are able to access insurance and do it less expensively" Dr. Williamson said.
The ruling on the Affordable Care Act is expected to be released Thursday morning.
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