Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, states have the option of expanding Medicaid to cover people earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Expanding Medicaid has become a subject of heated debate in some states.
For instance, in Ohio, Republican Gov. John Kasich advocated for expansion, but the Republican-led legislature rejected the idea. The governor ultimately was able to push expansion through seeking the approval of an oversight panel, effectively bypassing the legislature.
As of Wednesday, 25 states and the District of Columbia have decided to expand their programs next year, while two are looking to extend eligibility after 2014. Twenty-three states aren't moving forward with expansion at this time, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The following Medicaid expansion developments have occurred since the beginning of December, starting with the most recent
1. Iowa Gets Federal Go-Ahead to Expand Medicaid Through Private Plans
Iowa received federal approval to move forward with a Medicaid expansion plan that would subsidize private insurance coverage for residents earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.
2. Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam Open to Expanding Medicaid
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam indicated in a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius that the state and federal officials continue to work together to craft a Medicaid expansion plan.
3. 5 States That Will Lose the Most by Not Expanding Medicaid
States that have chosen not to expand their Medicaid programs will miss out on billions in new federal funds.
4. CMS: 1.46M Deemed Eligible for Medicaid, CHIP in October
In October, state agencies deemed roughly 1.46 million people eligible for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. That includes people who are newly eligible in states that have opted to expand Medicaid and those who are eligible under prior law.
5. Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead Rejects Medicaid Expansion
Republican Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead has said he doesn't want the state to accept federal funding to expand its Medicaid program.
More Articles on Medicaid Expansion:
Report: 2.4M Young Adults to Become Medicaid Eligible in 2014
White House Pushes Nebraska to Expand Medicaid
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell Rejects Medicaid Expansion