After Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) signed an executive order last week to expand Medicaid, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals believes up to 450,000 Louisianans could enroll in the program, according to NOLA.com.
This is an increase from the department's initial prediction of 300,000 enrollees.
The reason for the disparity lies in conflicting data. U.S. Census data counted 306,000 people in Louisiana as uninsured. However, there are an additional 130,000 citizens who can receive screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections but aren't eligible for Medicaid.
The U.S. Census Bureau is adding that population of 130,000 to the 306,000 uninsured, making a grand total of over 430,000. The DHH has adjusted its estimate accordingly.
However, the higher number of enrollees results in a smaller amount of savings for Louisiana. "It reduces the net savings, but it doesn't change the fact that we still project a net savings," said Medicaid Interim Director Jen Steele, according to the report.