A recent opinion piece from The New York Times calls on states that previously refused Medicaid expansion to embrace it.
The publication's editorial board argues that Medicaid expansion is beneficial to states because more health coverage results in healthier people, a decrease in job losses because of health crises, greater work productivity, fewer people receiving charity care, and less strain on hospital and clinic budgets.
Medicaid expansion is fully funded by the federal government through 2016. The government's share then gradually declines to 90 percent by 2020. So far, 28 states plus Washington, D.C., have expanded their Medicaid programs, while 22 haven't.
"States that have not expanded Medicaid say it will strain them to pay even 10 percent of the costs. They insist that if the federal government pulls back from paying 90 percent, they will have to pick up more of the tab — but there is no reason to believe that will happen, and if it does, it can be resolved when it arises," the New York Times editorial board wrote.
Here are seven key thoughts about Medicaid expansion in conservative states, based on the opinion piece.
1. Indiana, Michigan and Ohio are among 10 states with Republican governors that have expanded Medicaid in recent years.
2. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) recently said he was not opposed to expansion if it was "100 percent paid for." He encouraged the state legislature to expand Medicaid in Kansas.
3. Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) has come out in favor of a three-year expansion to judge how well it works. The Florida Legislature previously rejected expansion but is now reconsidering.
4. Alaska Governor Bill Walker, a former Republican turned Independent, has proposed expansion, "but Republican legislative leaders are balking," according to the opinion piece.
5. Tennessee legislators have killed Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam's (R) expansion plan.
6. In Utah, the Republican-dominated legislature has not taken action on a proposed expansion plan. Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) and legislative leaders have agreed to work on a plan that could be approved later, according to the opinion piece.
7. In Wyoming, the senate defeated a bill to expand the Medicaid program in the state.
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