Maine House Approves Medicaid Expansion, But Governor’s Veto Likely
Gov. Paul LePage has vetoed similar legislation five times before. Also, in Arkansas, a bill to fund the state's Medicaid expansion program passes its first legislative hurdle but still faces a tough sell in the Senate.
Portland Press Herald:
Maine House Passes Medicaid Expansion, But Not By Veto-Proof Margin
The Maine House voted to approve an expansion of Medicaid on Wednesday, but still fell well short of the margin needed to overcome an inevitable veto from Gov. Paul LePage. The 85-64 vote was largely along party lines and came one day after the Republican-controlled Senate narrowly endorsed using federal funds to purchase coverage for more low-income Mainers. The measure, however, appears headed for a sixth-straight defeat by LePage, who has argued expansion would cost the state more money down the line. (Miller, 4/13)
Maine Public Broadcasting:
House, Senate OK Medicaid Expansion, But Threat Of Veto Looms
A bill that would use federal Medicaid dollars to expand access to drug addiction treatment and mental health services passed narrowly in the Senate Wednesday and was approved almost entirely along party lines in the House. Rep. Charlotte Warren, a Hallowell Democrat, told her seat mates they should listen to Maine’s law enforcement community who say the bill would provide financial assistance to the state’s cash-strapped county jails. (Higgins, 4/14)
Times Record:
Arkansas Medicaid Plan Advances, But Senate Passage Still In Doubt
A bill to appropriate funding for the state Medicaid program, including the governor’s plan for Medicaid expansion, advanced out of committee on Wednesday, the first day of the Arkansas Legislature’s fiscal session. The bill cleared the Joint Budget Committee in a voice vote and is expected to be voted on Thursday in the Senate. Legislators on both sides of the debate over Medicaid expansion said the bill was unlikely to pass in the Senate. (Lyon, 4/14)
Arkansas Online:
Medicaid Funding Moves To Senate
Legislation reauthorizing the use of federal Medicaid funds to purchase private health insurance for low-income Arkansans cleared the Legislature's Joint Budget Committee on Wednesday and will be considered today by the Senate. Senate Bill 121 would grant spending authority totaling $8.4 billion in state and federal funds for various Medicaid programs. That includes $1.6 billion in spending authority for the Medicaid expansion to those of low income, including $43 million in state funds to match the federal funds, said state Department of Human Services spokesman Amy Webb. (Fanney and Wickline, 4/14)
