Government Affairs Committee Meeting
2016-07-14 18:30 - 19:30 UTC | GNDC Office 2000 Schafer Rd Bismarck, ND 58502 -or- Go To Meeting: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/963263925 888.640.7162 or 626.521.0016 Access Code: 963.263.925
Continuation of Medicaid Expansion:

As a Chamber we supported Medicaid expansion in 2013, under the principles of helping our hospitals recover some of the bad debt/charity care that is currently in the system.

Like all businesses, hospitals cannot continuously provide services in excess of revenue. Unlike most businesses, hospitals cannot turn anyone away. So when someone shows up at the hospital without health insurance, hospitals are obligated to provide care with no way to cover those costs. Medicaid expansion doesn't solve this problem, but without it the only options for the hospitals will be to shift those costs to the private sector, increase costs for those with health insurance, limit services, or shut down altogether.

Medicaid Expansion helps reduce the amount of uncompensated care in hospitals; this is a business issue for several reasons:

First, hospitals are businesses and cannot operate in excess of revenue; we need hospitals for a healthy community and healthy economy.
Second, uncompensated care ends up shifting to the business community and their employees through higher premiums, limitation of services, or leaving a community.
Finally, proximity to quality health care is important for attracting and growing business in North Dakota.As we look to diversify our economy, we must do what we can to attract companies to locate in North Dakota.Closing hospitals only makes it more difficult to attract new jobs.

Agenda:

1:30 p.m. Introductions

Bernie Dardis, Policy Vice Chair, GNDC

1:35 p.m. Medicaid Expansion Overview

Tim Rave, VP Public Policy, Sanford Health
Chris Jones, VP Strategy and Business Development, CHI

2:20 p.m. Open Discussion Your chance to ask your questions about specific topics

Bernie Dardis, Policy Vice Chair, GNDC

2:30 p.m. Adjourn

Next Meeting - August 11th @1:30pm

WSI Presentation | Rep. George Keiser
