Alaska governor pushes to expand Medicaid program for the poor

Gov. Bill Walker has notified state lawmakers of his intent to accept federal money to expand Medicaid coverage in Alaska. “Thousands of Alaskans and more than 150 organizations, including chambers of commerce, local hospitals, and local governments, have been waiting long enough for Medicaid expansion”. I’ve tried everything else. “I never give up, and I won’t give up”.

Walker – a former Republican who has since become an Independent – has been advocating for Medicaid expansion for over a year. Montana’s version of the policy, favored by Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock and enacted by a majority Republican legislature, awaits federal approval.

Walker, elected in 2014, campaigned on Medicaid expansion, but was met with opposition in the Republican-controlled legislature.

Indiana, for example, expanded Medicaid this year with a requirement that beneficiaries pick up some of the cost by paying premiums.

President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare reform regulation, the Affordable Care Act, envisions main expansions to the Medicaid program. He made his case in person during a visit to Nashville, Tennessee, in June.

“He continues to be weighing his choices whether or not to do it by means of laws or do it on his personal”, spokeswoman Katie Marquette stated.

Walker’s plan in Alaska could similarly face resistance from GOP state lawmakers, even with the legislature now out of session.

Walker sent a letter to a legislative committee informing it of his decision and starting a 45-day clock that will allow the program to begin September 1. The committee will have 45 days to endorse the plan, recommend against it or take no action, according to a press release from the governor’s office. He said that even if the committee rejects his decision, he has the statutory authority to go forward.

The governor included Medicaid expansion funds in his fiscal year 2016 operating budget. Legal experts, however, question if the language in that budget is constitutional. Governors in other states, including Kentucky and Ohio, also adopted the Medicaid expansion without new legislation. Implementing this particular Obamacare provision, which was ruled optional by the Supreme Court in 2012, would extend health coverage to an estimated 40,000 low-income residents in his state.