To the Editor:
The examples given regarding people who will receive expanded coverage Medicaid are tragic and saddening. However, the figures given to substantiate the beneficial effects of expanded Medicaid coverage in Virginia appear to be whimsical.
Ms. Kimm [editorial, “Tragic Consequences,” July 24] states that as many as 400,000 Virginians will benefit by the $1 billion in direct payments. Well and good, that equates to as much as $10,000 per individual. She then states that an estimated 30,000 jobs will be created because of this expansion. Presumably the new job holders will be there to administer and treat the newly eligible Medicaid recipients. At an average of $50,000 per year for these people we will spend $1.5 billion. So that leaves us $500 million in arrears before we attempt to distribute the $10,000 for each newly eligible Medicaid recipient.
Politicians and editorial writers sometimes skip over some minor details.
Harvey Wenick Alexandria