States Warming Up to Medicaid Option

By Tara Mancini

As we reach the dead of winter, throughout the country there seems to be little thaw in opposition to the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid option. This week, there was a flurry of activity by governors and legislators warming up to the Medicaid expansion option. This week it is getting especially hot; within the span of three days a second Republican governor has thrown his support behind the Medicaid option.

Yesterday, Governor Snyder of Michigan announced he will back the expansion in his state, making him the 6th Republican governor to do so. During a visit to a hospital in Lansing, Snyder reasoned, “This makes sense for the physical and fiscal health of Michigan.” Although Governor Snyder has not been a fan of the Affordable Care Act, he realized the estimated  $20 billion in federal funds that will flow into the state over the next 10 years, and $1.2 billion in general funds savings over 7 years will be a boon to the state and the health of its people.

Farther South, there is hope that positive headlines may follow on the heels of this week’s announcements, as state legislatures in Virginia and Florida heat up with discussions on the impact of the expansion.

Today, Virginia’s Senate Finance Committee kept hope alive for uninsured Virginians by approving an amendment to the state budget, allowing the legislature to make a decision on Medicaid this year, rather than next. The change of mind is a result of a presentation given yesterday by the McDonnell Administration on the progress of Medicaid reforms in the state. Although, accepting the expansion hinges on the state receiving federal approval of changes to its existing Medicaid program, it’s a testament to the fact that states are quickly realizing what  a good deal the Affordable Care Act is offering them.

And on Monday, February 11th, my colleague Joan Alker will testify before the Florida Senate Select Committee on  the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on the benefits of providing Medicaid to more low-income adults, so stay tuned for her blog report.

Latest