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University of Wisconsin–Madison
Poverty-related issues in the news, from the Institute for Research on Poverty

States and Medicaid Expansion

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  • Christie says he’ll take U.S. money to expand Medicaid, By Kate Zernike, February 26, 2013, New York Times: “Gov. Chris Christie, one of the most strident Republican critics of President Obama’s health care overhaul, announced on Tuesday that he would accept federal money to expand the Medicaid program in New Jersey. The expansion, which the governor described in his annual budget address to the Legislature, would provide health insurance to 104,000 of the poorest 1.3 million residents currently living without it, though some groups say the number could be higher…”
  • Gov. Chris Christie agrees to expand Medicaid in NJ, still ‘no fan of affordable care act’, Associated Press, February 26, 2013, Washington Post: “Gov. Chris Christie announced Tuesday that he would expand Medicaid health insurance coverage to more low-income New Jersey adults as part of President Barack Obama’s health insurance overhaul — all while making it clear he’s ‘no fan of’ the president’s program…”
  • Medicaid expansion could save Iowa counties up to $60 million on mental health, state experts say, By Tony Leys, February 28, 2013, Des Moines Register: “Iowa counties could save up to $60 million per year in mental-health costs if the state agrees to expand its Medicaid program, state experts estimate. The estimate, which comes from within Gov. Terry Branstad’s administration, could increase pressure on the governor to accept the Medicaid expansion. Branstad, a Republican, has steadfastly resisted the idea, saying he doubts the federal government’s promise to pay nearly all the cost…”
  • W.Va. Medicaid expansion would create 6,000 jobs, activists say, By Lori Kersey, February 26, 2013, Charleston Gazette: “Expanding Medicaid in West Virginia would create about 6,200 new jobs across the state in 2016, according to a study released today by the West Virginians for Affordable Health Care and Families USA…”
  • Medicaid expansion a short-term money maker for Utah, By Kirsten Stewart, February 28, 2013, Salt Lake Tribune: “As Gov. Gary Herbert awaits the results of a study predicting what it would cost Utah to expand Medicaid, lawmakers have produced their own estimate. Not only would the expansion cost Utah nothing the first three years, it would save the state $222,000 in general and education funds in 2014 and $444,000 in 2015…”