Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer recommended state lawmakers to expand the Medicaid program in her state of the state address Monday, becoming only the third Republican governor to do so.
The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association praised the move in a release, saying it will "benefit all Arizonans through the reduction of uncompensated care and cost shifting to commercial business and individual health insurance policies that will provide stability to Arizona’s healthcare system and economy."
Gov. Brewer, a conservative champion among the GOP elite, defended her stance to her party by explaining her recommendation would include "circuit breakers" to help prevent a boondoggle if federal money were to shrink and that hospital fees could fund any shortage in place of the state general fund.
If the Arizona legislature approves the expansion, the state would receive an additional $7.9 billion in federal funds over four years and could increase coverage to as many as 300,000 low-income residents.
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The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association praised the move in a release, saying it will "benefit all Arizonans through the reduction of uncompensated care and cost shifting to commercial business and individual health insurance policies that will provide stability to Arizona’s healthcare system and economy."
Gov. Brewer, a conservative champion among the GOP elite, defended her stance to her party by explaining her recommendation would include "circuit breakers" to help prevent a boondoggle if federal money were to shrink and that hospital fees could fund any shortage in place of the state general fund.
If the Arizona legislature approves the expansion, the state would receive an additional $7.9 billion in federal funds over four years and could increase coverage to as many as 300,000 low-income residents.
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