Gov. Sean Parnell has decided not to expand Alaska's Medicaid program, citing the recent issues with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's launch.
Gov. Parnell announced last week he wouldn't include Medicaid expansion in his fiscal year 2015 budget. In a news release, he said the PPACA has "failed to launch, is failing to deliver on its promises and remains in disarray," referencing the technical promise that have plagued HealthCare.gov as well as the cancellation of individual insurance policies that don't meet PPACA requirements. President Barack Obama recently said he will take executive action allowing health insurers to continue offering those policies next year.
Gov. Parnell also noted Medicaid is already one of the state's biggest and most expensive government programs, costing $1.5 billion annually.
Gov. Parnell has created the Alaska Medicaid Reform Advisory Group to address Medicaid's structural issues and propose reform measures. He also directed the state commissioner of health and social services to issue a report on the status of Alaska's safety net for non-Medicaid eligible residents earning as much as 100 percent of the poverty level, according to the release.
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