Alabama church leaders plead with Gov. Kay Ivey to expand Medicaid

Some of the longest-serving faith leaders in Alabama said they have met with Gov. Kay Ivey about expanding Medicaid as the coronavirus pandemic tests a strained state health care system.

“The rural counties and many of the people there are suffering. Not just African Americans, people in general are suffering for health care in this COVID season,” said the Rev. Ed Nettles of Freewill Missionary Baptist Church. “It’s not a political issue. It’s a matter of the heart. Do you really care about the people of Alabama?”

Medicaid health care coverage is available to over 1 million Alabama children, seniors and people with disabilities. Another 340,000 underinsured or uninsured adults would be covered by an expansion and that would save thousands of lives and create tens of thousands of jobs, according to a report released in June by nonprofit advocacy group Alabama Arise.

Oklahoma voters approved a similar expansion Tuesday, leaving Alabama as one of 13 states that have not. Missouri is expected to approve an expansion later this year.

Nettles is part of a multi-denominational group of leaders from Christian and Jewish worship centers across central Alabama that have been working in the wake of the death of George Floyd to address inequalities and create positive change across the area. Their meeting with Ivey was part of that work, and Nettles said Medicaid was one of several issues they discussed. More discussions are planned.

“We’re trying to find a path forward. We realize the state is not in a position to pay for it, however I think it’s an issue that needs to be discussed at this time,” Nettles said. “… (Ivey) opened the door for dialogue, and we’re going to trust that she will follow through with that with honesty and integrity to move our state forward.”

If it decides to expand Medicaid, Alabama would get $9 in federal matching money for every $1 it spends on expansion.

Alabama Arise Executive Director Robyn Hyden said the pandemic has highlighted other problems with the state’s failure to expand Medicaid, including tying health insurance to a job at a time when unemployment skyrocketed. Down the line, it could create more problems with access to a COVID-19 vaccine or treatment.

That push was one of the initiatives the group of faith leaders shared when they met Wednesday to give an update on their work to address inequalities. “Do not underestimate the power of a united church,” said Kyle Searcy of Fresh Anointing House of Worship.

Former Frazer United Methodist Church leader the Rev. John Ed Mathison ran down a list of needs they’ve explored since their first meeting last month. Among them: the need to listen to people in different segments of society, the need for a return to community policing, more community involvement in police recruitment, the need for a group of unbiased people to review law enforcement action, and access to equitable employment.

First Baptist Church Senior Pastor Jay Wolf praised local leaders including Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, Montgomery Police Chief Ernest Finley and Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham and said they’re willing to embrace change and help make progress happen. New Walk of Life Church Pastor Ken Austin also praised efforts to make a difference within the community, like youth nonprofit That’s My Child and Hope Inspired Ministries.

But Austin said meetings and praise won’t move the city or state forward, and that real change must happen.

“Our youth is not impressed by words. They’re not impressed by what we say. They must see action,” Austin said. “… We remember what Rosa Parks did, and not what she said. I pray that history will remember what we did in 2020, not what we talked about.”

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Brad Harper at bharper1@gannett.com.