Marylanders Favor More Govt. Intervention in Health Care

Posted by Marc Kilmer in Health Care, Insurance Regulation, Maryland, Medicaid on Jun 8th, 2009 | no responses

The results of a poll commissioned by the left-wing Maryland Citizens Health Initiative (MCHI) found that, not surprisingly, a majority of Marylanders want health care reform and they also support a plan to raise taxes for expanded Medicaid coverage. I say "not surprisingly" both because you wouldn't expect any group to release poll results that run counter to its agenda, but also because it's Maryland we're talking about. Even though the poll was commissioned by a liberal organization and performed by a "progressive national polling firm," I am inclined to think that its results are basically true. Marylanders like their government programs.

Somewhat surpisingly, though, there are also a few chambers of commerce that support raising business taxes to pay for more government health care programs. Three state black chambers of commerce have endorsed the MCHI plan, although the state chamber is opposed to it. Democratic legislators are also skeptical of it, with Senate Finance Committee Chair Mac Middleton expressed reservations about supporting a payroll tax hike during next year's session.

Were I a betting man, I'd say the odds of the MCHI plan being enacted next year are pretty slim. But I'll make a prediction that 2011 will be a more favorable year for government health care expansion in Maryland. Sen. Middleton isn't necessarily opposed to expanding Medicaid and the state government's involvement in the health care market, he just wants to make sure there's enough taxpayer money to pay for it. Two years will bring a better economy and a gap of three years before the next legislative election. Those factors mean bad news for Maryland taxpayers.