Letter: Herbert should act now to expand Medicaid

The political angst with which Gov. Gary Herbert is handling his decision on expanding Medicaid in the state leads to a deep sense of cynicism. There are 123,586 adults without health insurance who could be covered by extending Medicaid as per the federal offer to underwrite the cost for three years.

The governor says he will decide by year's end; the federal subsidy starts Jan. 1. The opportunity will be lost if he does not opt in. What possible reasons could there be for his hesitancy?

Perhaps he sees this humane offering as something that would reflect well on the Democrats (e.g. President Obama). His belief is likely that what is good for the Democrats is bad for the Republicans.

Perhaps he is merely wallowing in the Republicans' long-standing antipathy to federal programs.

It is time to put political agendas aside and do the moral thing.

Louis Borgenicht

Salt Lake City