DGA Statement on Medicaid Expansion in Oklahoma

Yesterday, voters in Oklahoma approved a ballot measure to expand Medicaid in their state. Oklahoma was one of 14 states that haven’t expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, and has the second-highest uninsured rate in the country.

DGA Chair New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy released the following statement:

“Yesterday’s victory on Medicaid expansion is a huge win for Oklahomans. Access to affordable health care is critically important, especially to the millions of Americans who are uninsured or who have lost their job as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Oklahoma is the fifth state where voters have overruled Republican leadership and voted to expand Medicaid. It’s clear this is what Americans want – so it’s time for Republicans in North Carolina, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Kansas to get out of the way. Until then, voters can continue to count on Democratic governors to fight for accessible, affordable health care for all Americans.”

Democratic governors have always led on health care and continue to do so during the pandemic, while many Republican governors still refuse to expand access to affordable health care in their states.

The 13 states that have refused to expand Medicaid under the ACA all have Republican governors or Republican legislatures that have blocked Democratic governors from increasing access to health care. In the states that have refused to expand Medicaid, 40 percent of people who lose their health insurance when they lose their job will end up with no coverage at all.