State lawmakers are holding a hearing this morning to discuss the pros and cons of expanding Louisiana’s Medicaid program to cover more uninsured adults. The Senate and House insurance committees kicked off the hearing at 9:30 this morning to get information about the federal health care law that allows for the expansion. Though several states with Republican governors who vowed not to participate have since relented and accepted the expansion, Gov. Bobby Jindal has steadfastly opposed the expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Lawmakers, however, haven’t voted on the idea. A bill has been filed to authorize the expansion, for consideration in the upcoming legislative session that begins April 8. Jindal calls the Medicaid expansion an inappropriate growth of an inefficient, government-run health program and too costly for states, though the federal government would pick up the bulk of the price tag. Estimates are that as many as 400,000 more Louisiana residents could be eligible for Medicaid under an expansion.
Today’s poll question: Do you think Gov. Bobby Jindal will reverse his opposition to the state’s participation in the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act?
