With Dreams Of Fewer Restrictions, GOP Governors Now Interested In Federal Medicaid Money
The governors who decided not to expand under the health law, now see an opportunity in the form of block grants. Meanwhile, governors who did expand will also be giving their two cents to the Finance Committee on Thursday at a round table on the future of health care coverage.
The Associated Press:
GOP Governors Who Turned Down Medicaid Money Have Hands Out
Republican governors who turned down billions in federal dollars from an expansion of Medicaid under President Barack Obama's health care law now have their hands out in hopes the GOP Congress comes up with a new formula to provide insurance for low-income Americans. (1/19)
The Wall Street Journal:
Republican Governors Warn Lawmakers About Repeal Of Obamacare
As U.S. Congress moves ahead with repealing the Affordable Care Act, some Republican governors are reaching out to lawmakers and urging caution. In recent comments and letters to Republican House leaders who sought input from state officials on potential health-system changes, several governors have voiced concerns about the effects of abruptly scrapping the 2010 law. At least nine governors and two lieutenant governors have signed up for a Thursday round table held by Senate Finance Committee Republicans on the future of the health law’s Medicaid expansion. (Levitz and Kamp, 1/19)
Detroit News:
Snyder Vouching For Medicaid Expansion Plan In D.C.
Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to vouch for the state’s Healthy Michigan plan Thursday in Washington D.C., where he’ll join a Senate committee roundtable discussion on the future of the larger Medicaid health care program for low-income and other vulnerable residents. The Republican governor is a vocal proponent of Michigan’s unique form of expanded Medicaid eligibility funded through the Affordable Care Act. (Oosting, 1/18)
MLive:
Snyder Hints He'll Fight To Keep Medicaid Expansion As Feds Consider ACA Repeal
Gov. Rick Snyder fought to expand Medicaid in Michigan under the Affordable Care Act when some Republicans at the state level were opposed to it. Now, it's Republicans at the federal level he might find himself on the opposite side of. ... Michigan's Healthy Michigan plan, which Snyder signed into law in 2013, covers 638,845 people, according to statistics maintained by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Snyder said in his speech that Michigan's Medicaid expansion had reduced uncompensated care by an average of 44 percent. (Lawler, 1/18)
USA Today:
Cuomo Warns Trump On Obamacare Cuts
Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday of a "dramatic impact" on New Yorkers if Trump moves ahead with a repeal and replace of the Affordable Care Act. The meeting at Trump Tower was the first face-to-face sit down between the two New Yorkers, who are both Queens natives, since Trump was elected. (Spector, 1/18)
And in other news —
Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World:
Medicaid Expansion Bill Introduced In Kansas House
A bill to expand the state Medicaid program has been introduced in the Kansas House, but lawmakers may have to rush in order to pass it before the Republican-controlled Congress repeals the federal Affordable Care Act that makes the expansion possible. In fact, while supporters believe the idea has more than enough support to pass the 125-seat Kansas House, all of whose members were just elected in November, the state's entire delegation in the U.S. House is on record supporting repeal of the federal law, even though they were all re-elected on the same ballot. (Hancock, 1/18)
Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star:
Morfeld Proposes Medicaid Expansion
Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln on Tuesday introduced legislation to expand Medicaid coverage in Nebraska, suggesting it as a means of transitioning into a forthcoming Republican health care plan. "LB441 allows us to bring home $775 million (in federal funds) paid in part by hard-working Nebraska taxpayers to reduce health care costs, improve efficiency in our Medicaid system and make sure the workers who are the backbone of our state's economy are as healthy and productive as they can be," Morfeld said. (Walton, 1/17)
