At least that is the conclusion made by a recent LA Times article that looked at historical Medicaid coverage shifts in Arizona.

The availability of Medicaid can be thought of as both a matter of life and as a gateway to economic growth. The article found women delaying necessary surgical procedures, inmates requiring extra medical attention, and diabetes patients requiring limb amputations as effects of periods of enrollment being frozen. In contrast, mortality rates were down, new clinics were built and new programs were developed to treat people during times of Medicaid expansion.

Arizona voters apparently knew this was the right thing to do as far back as November, 2000. During the Great Recession, more than 153,000 people were rolled off of Medicaid, but the restored Medicaid efforts have covered that number and more.

The proof continues to roll in. Medicaid expansion is the right path for a healthier population and a stronger economy.