Kasich says he could accept phasing out Medicaid expansion if Congress provides additional funding

Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Monday expressed suport for slowly phasing out the ACA's Medicaid expansion across seven years, reports The New York Times.

However, the report notes his support would be contingent on the following: there is more funding for states than what is part of the House-approved American Health Care Act, and states have increased flexibility to manage Medicaid.

"I don't have a problem with phasing down the enhanced federal payments," Mr. Kasich, whose state is one of 31 that opted for Medicaid expansion, said. "But it can't be done overnight, and it has to be done with the resources and the flexibility that are needed so people don't get left behind. You just can't be cutting off coverage for people."

Mr. Kasich's position could end up playing a key role in the healthcare debate, as many of the 20 Republican senators from Medicaid expansion states could be influenced by the Ohio governor, according to the report.

As the Senate works on a healthcare bill, moderate Republican senators said they are advocating to slowly decrease federal payments for Medicaid expansion from 2020 to 2027, reports NYT. The House-approved AHCA would keep Medicaid expansion in effect through Jan. 1, 2020.

Some senators, including those from Medicaid expansion states, support a seven-year phaseout, while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., recommended a three-year phaseout, according to the report.

Republican senators are close to having a draft of a healthcare bill, which will be scored by the Congressional Budget Office.

 

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Dallas hospital files for bankruptcy 3 years after opening

 

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