Success Of Ballot Initiatives Invigorated Medicaid Expansion Advocates, But Pushback From Lawmakers Highlights Their Limits
Lawmakers in both Utah and Idaho are moving quickly to add restrictions to the voter-approved Medicaid expansion. Medicaid news comes out of Florida, as well.
The Hill:
Red States Move To Limit Medicaid Expansion Approved By Voters
Just months after voters in Utah and Idaho approved ballot measures meant to expand Medicaid coverage to more low-income residents under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), legislators in both states are moving to place restrictions on the number of new people who would be covered. Utah’s state Senate on Monday advanced a measure to cover those who make up to 100 percent of the federal poverty limit under Medicaid. (Wilson, 2/5)
Kaiser Health News:
Utah And Idaho Lawmakers Seek To Scale Back Voter-Approved Medicaid Expansions
The pushback shows the limits of the ballot referendums — otherwise called “direct democracy,” said Craig Burnett, an assistant professor of political science at Hofstra University in New York. The reaction from Idaho and Utah lawmakers could chill other potential Medicaid expansion ballot referendums planned for 2020 in Florida and other states, said Jamila Michener, an assistant professor of government at Cornell University. (Galewitz, 2/5)
Politico Pro:
Groups Mount Medicaid Expansion Ballot Campaign In Florida
A mix of national and local health care groups, energized by the approval of Medicaid expansion ballot initiatives in three conservative states in November, have been collecting signatures for weeks to support a voter referendum that could cover an additional 700,000 low-income Florida adults. For now, however, the groups aren't saying much publicly about the effort. (Pradhan, 2/5)
Health News Florida:
DeSantis Goes Light On Medicaid Cuts
As a congressman, Ron DeSantis carved out a name for himself railing against Medicaid spending. But as a newly elected governor, DeSantis released a $91.3 billion proposed spending plan Friday that, for the most part, maintains the status quo for Medicaid providers in Florida. (Sexton, 2/4)
