Louisiana Expands Medicaid

Louisiana is becoming the first state in the Republican-dominated Deep South to expand its Medicaid program.

More than 233,000 people – largely the working poor – have been enrolled so far in the government-financed insurance coverage offered under the health law championed by President Barack Obama. The expanded coverage starts Friday.

Medicaid expansion fulfills of one of Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’ main campaign promises.

Those eligible for coverage include adults ages 19 to 64 with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level – about $33,500 for a family of four.

Republican legislative opposition largely disappeared when Edwards issued his executive order laying the groundwork for expansion, which is estimated to save Louisiana $180 million-plus in the new budget year.

Alabama is one of the states that has not expanded Medicaid, though last November, the Associated Press quoted Governor Bentley as saying he was considering it, although he still finds fault with the proposal:

The AP reports that Bentley pointed to the cost and the legislature, which previously opposed his call for tax increases. The federal government initially picks up the entire cost of expansion, but eventually the state has to pay 10 percent of costs. 

“If we were to accept that you have to realize that it’s going to cost the state of Alabama over the next six years $710 million dollars in the general fund,” Bentley said. “Folks, I can’t even get them to raise $100 million, so we’ve got to look at a funding stream for that if we are going to do it.”

Bentley has gone through a lot of political drama since then, and it is not known if he is still leaning towards Medicaid expansion. He faces possible removal from office if he is impeached by a Legislative committee looking into his relationship with his senior political aide, Rebekah Mason.