Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
After House Health Bill Collapses, Some States Reconsider Implementing Medicaid Expansion
The Wall Street Journal: After GOP Health Bill’s Demise, More States Weigh Expanding Medicaid
A growing number of states are considering expanding their Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act, after last week’s abrupt collapse of the GOP health bill and a development that could make it harder for Republicans to undo the law in the future. (Armour, 3/28)
Nashville Tennessean: Haslam Not Looking At Medicaid Expansion After Failed ACA Repeal Effort
Gov. Bill Haslam said Tuesday he is not currently considering another legislative special session to expand the state's Medicaid program under the federal Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare. "It's awfully early for that right now," Haslam said after a morning event in Nashville. "We're going to engage in conversations with folks in Washington just to see under the current program what do we think we can do to serve people and we'll go from there." In 2015, Haslam ordered a special session specifically focused on his Medicaid expansion plan but lawmakers balked at the idea and declined to pass legislation. (Ebert, 3/28)
The Associated Press: Arkansas Senate OKs Bill Keeping Hybrid Medicaid Expansion
The Arkansas Senate has approved keeping the state's hybrid Medicaid expansion another year after Republican efforts to repeal and replace the federal health law that created the program failed in Congress. The state Senate voted 27-1 Tuesday for the budget for the state's Medicaid program that includes the hybrid expansion. The bill that now heads to the state House had failed to get the three-fourths majority vote needed on two separate votes Monday. (3/28)
