During a rally on the capitol steps for Medicaid Expansion, which is turning into a political “elephant fight,” the folks sang “Happy Birthday” to the Governor. Likely, Medicaid Expansion won’t be decided upon before the end of the session, because Republicans want the broken system fixed before adding thousands more to its rolls. The Governor said he’d call the Legislature back to get it done. We’ll see.
Governor Bill Walker told the crowd expanded healthcare coverage is both an economic and moral necessity for the state. “Multiple polls show overwhelming support for expanded Medicaid. Healthcare is not a partisan issue, it’s an Alaskan issue, and we’re going to accept it,” Walker said over growing applause.
But Republicans lawmakers say the state isn’t ready, and that there is no use expanding Medicaid when the state’s current version of the healthcare system is not working. “To throw another 20,000-plus people into a system that is already not functioning properly could really hurt the state a lot,” said Representative Steven Thompson, a Republican from Fairbanks, during a majority press briefing earlier in the day.
Thompson doesn’t believe the issue will not come to a vote this session. But Governor Walker says he will call back the Legislature if the expansion plan doesn’t come to pass.
See Full Story at Alaska Public Media
