Franken destroys Republican talking point on Trumpcare using science

Judd Legum at Think Progress

https://thinkprogress.org/franken-republican-talking-point-841f387ddc09

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Franken actually understates the case. The NEJM cited a recent study estimating that Medicaid expansion has saved one life for every 239 to 319 people covered. That means enrolling 750,000 people in Medicaid could actually save 2,300 to 3,100 lives.

This also makes intuitive sense. When people have life-threatening illnesses, they need treatment and Medicaid gives them access to treatment. Without insurance, underlying health issues go untreated and can eventually be fatal.

There are also other benefits to health coverage besides avoiding death. It can, and does, improve quality of life. In fact, the same Oregon study that Roy uses to prove Medicaid is worthless did report improvements in a variety of health outcomes that impact people’s quality of life.

The Oregon study found significantly improved outcomes on a variety of issues — “depression, self-reported health, decrease in pain” — that “are themselves predictive of reduced mortality over a 5- to 10-year period.”


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