Here’s a report from Wallet Hub which restates the obvious:
The state’s that take advantage of Obamacare — such as Arkansas — get a huge return. One example of many benefits, not including coverage for people previously excluded or unable to pay for coverage:
Taxpayers across the country are on the hook for Medicaid expansion costs, regardless of whether their state government decides to opt in or out given that federal income taxes are used to pay for the program. The only difference is whether or not taxpayers in a given state receive anything in return. For example, taxpayers in Vermont stand to receive an unlimited return on investment for every $1 they attribute to Medicaid, as the savings the Vermont state government stands to receive as a result of increased federal funding outweighs its citizens’ share of the federal income taxes used to fund the expansion in other states. On the flip side, Mississippi taxpayers are giving up $8.03 in federal funding for every dollar they are currently set to pay for Medicaid expansion in other states.
By this ranking, Arkansas is 19th in receiving most benefits from the expansion of health coverage. We rank 8th in benefits per dollar in increased burden for taxpayers. We also score high in a reduction in uncompensated care and help for those with pre-existing conditions.
Terrible, right? It must be overturned. Don’t give up hope. Many Republicans are still hoping to undo the benefits of the expansion adopted by the 2013 legislature in the coming fiscal session. And the evils of Obamacare remain issue No. 1 on the Arkansas Republican playlist for 2014.