Over the past few weeks, some state lawmakers have suggested that the state of Alabama at least take a look at the expansion of Medicaid in the future.

Gov. Kay Ivey and Republican leaders in the legislature have long dismissed the possibility. However, in an appearance Friday on Alabama Public Television’s “Capitol Journal,” Alabama Hospital Association president and CEO Dr. Don Williamson insists expanding Medicaid is within reach for the state.

Williamson argued Alabama’s match would only be 10 percent, and that that number was set into the future “as far as we can see.”

“I understand how hard it is to find money, but after the first year, if you look at the savings associated with expansion, if you look at the tax revenue that comes in – you’re about in 2023, for example, pulling in $3 billion of additional federal money for an investment on the state side for about $25 million, first,” Williamson when asked by host Don Dailey about opposition to the policy change given the cost and the goal being to reduce, not expand, Medicaid rolls.

“Second, people talk about the federal dollars going away,” he continued. “The federal match rate for Medicaid expansion is set in statute. Beginning in January of 2020, it is 10 percent. We put up 10 percent. The federal government will put in 90 percent into the future as far as we can see. So, don’t worry about that.”

“Lastly, I agree – I would much rather see people have access to good high paying jobs,” he added. “But what we’re seeing is we’re seeing despite record-high employment rates in the state, that does not translate in a dramatic decline of Medicaid enrollment. Why? Because in many cases, those jobs don’t pay enough money for individuals to get private insurance.”

@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University, the editor of Breitbart TV and host of “The Jeff Poor Show” from 2-5 p.m. on WVNN in Huntsville.