More Manufacturing Jobs, Lower Medicaid Enrollment

by Mark DiMaio

Delaware’s Medicaid enrollment continues to rise. Since 1999, Medicaid enrollment has grown from just under 100,000 to over 230,000. The growth has put a tremendous strain on Delaware’s budget. To combat Medicaid’s growth, it’s imperative that new jobs are created in Delaware. While some job sectors have grown, or at least stabilized, over the last 15 years, Delaware’s manufacturing sector has decreased by 12,000 jobs to 28,000. The decline mirrors much of what has taken place nationally, but over the past six years, Delaware’s manufacturing sector decline has slightly outpaced the national trend. Manufacturing employment can create not only well-paying jobs, but drive employment in the job sectors that service those businesses. Taking steps, like modernizing the Coastal Zone Act (CZA) could attract new business and jobs to Delaware. The State Chamber is working with stakeholders to modernize the CZA and enhance Delaware’s manufacturing climate.

Medicaid spending isn’t the only state expenditure growing at a significant clip. In former Governor Markell’s final State of the State address, he points out that the current spending on state employee health care isn't sustainable. According to Governor Markell, Delaware’s cost estimates, with no increase in state or employee retiree contributions, would result in the state facing a deficit of $484 million by 2022. The continued growth in Medicaid spending, combined with a steep increase in employee health care costs, presents Delaware with a substantial problem. More jobs, especially manufacturing jobs, should help decrease the state’s Medicaid population. Bending the cost curve for state employee health care expenditures will require more than negotiations with service provides. Some measure of additional state employee contributions needs to be considered. An increased share of employee health care contributions is already a reality for most Delawareans.