Miss. Dems Continue Work To Keep Medicaid Expansion Plans Alive; GOP Lawmakers Offer Proposals To Compete With Ariz. Gov.’s Expansion Vision
In addition, Florida health experts say that state's decision not to pursue the expansion is "bad for business."
The Associated Press: Dems Work On Miss. Medicaid Expansion
Democrats in the Mississippi Legislature say they're working on proposals to keep Medicaid alive and funded in the budget year that starts July 1. They say they're doing this in case Republican Gov. Phil Bryant calls a special session before the end of June. However, Bryant said last week he believes he can run Medicaid without legislative authorization — even with no budget in place (5/15).
Arizona Republic: 2 New Ideas For Medicaid In Arizona
After four months of pondering Gov. Jan Brewer’s plan to broaden Medicaid eligibility under the federal health-care overhaul, Republican leaders of the Arizona House and Senate released competing plans on Tuesday almost simultaneously. Neither is likely to pass muster with the governor, because one would not expand the state’s Medicaid program and the other sends the entire matter to the ballot. But the proposal from Senate President Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, contained in his fiscal 2014 budget plan, set the legislative wheels in motion after months of inaction (Reinhart, 5/14).
Health News Florida: Health Experts On Medicaid Rejection: 'Bad For Business'
The Florida Legislature's decision against expanding Medicaid will saddle the state’s employers with higher health care costs and was "bad for business," health care experts told business leaders on Tuesday. Florida corporations have been "too quiet" about Medicaid expansion and other health care issues, and should make elected officials aware of their displeasure before the damage gets worse, said William Kramer, a national health policy leader in San Francisco who works with corporations (Lamendola, 5/15).