Here's a report that Michigan's governor is the sixth Republican governor to get on board:
"This makes sense for the physical and fiscal health of Michigan," Snyder said in a statement. He said the move will add 320,000 state residents in the first year, and more than 470,000 by 2021, cutting the number of Michigan uninsured almost in half.
Snyder joins fellow Republican Governor John Kasich of Ohio, who made his Medicaid expansion announcement on Monday. The Republican governors of Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and North Dakota had previously said they would expand the program.
It also follows new assurances that the Obama administration will defend federal funding for the program in upcoming deficit reduction talks with Congress.
Other Republican governors have refused the program, like the governor of Pennsylvania. Ten others also refuse to go along with the expansion, including Texas, but might Texas get on board? This would provide health care to an additional $1.8 million in Texas, and would be funded primarily by the national government. There's little indication that Governor Perry wants to go forward, but there are various groups in the state that think its in the state's best interest:
- The Texas Tribune reports that both the Texas Medical Association and the Texas Hospital Association are in favor of the expansion. Republicans in the legislature - and the governor - favor a shift to a block grant that would give the state discretion in how to implement the program.
- Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas produced a document detailing why Texas should support expansion.
- Some Texas counties want to work directly with the national government in providing coverage, and do an end run around the state.
- Here's a look at the pros and cons of participation.
