Full Medicaid expansion could save state as much as $345 million

Source: wisconsin state journal





Full Medicaid expansion could save state as much as $345 million

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_75c5e4b5-1977-5606-8f1d-47b34921a978.html#.VOJRcivknWI.twitter


38 minutes ago • By Matthew DeFour | Wisconsin State Journal
(24) Comments

Wisconsin could save $345 million over the next two years if it adopts a full expansion of Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act, according to a new estimate prepared by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

The revised estimate comes as the Legislature gears up to consider Gov. Scott Walker's $68 billion biennial budget, which cuts $300 million from the University of Wisconsin System among other austerity measures in the face of a more than $2 billion shortfall.

Full Medicaid expansion would cover all adults under age 65 in households living at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level. Since April 2014, Wisconsin has covered all childless adults living at or below 100 percent of the federal poverty level, leaving those between 100 and 133 percent to buy subsidized insurance on federal exchanges.

Walker and Legislative Republicans have rejected arguments for accepting the expansion, saying they worry the federal government will renege on its share of the funding in the future, leaving Wisconsin taxpayers on the hook..............

Read more: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_75c5e4b5-1977-5606-8f1d-47b34921a978.html#.VOJRcivknWI.twitter

Walker is dead set against this. Wisconsinites will suffer.