Dive Brief:
- Utah and Alaska are both furthering their plans to expand Medicaid.
- Repulican leaders in Utah have a agreed on a conceptual framework for its new program, which would open coverage to about 100,000 individuals earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level.
- Alaska Gov. Bill Walker recently announced that the state will accept Medicaid expansion, which would provide healthcare to some 40,000 uncovered individuals.
Dive Insight:
Just days after a woman who had lobbied for Medicaid expansion in Utah died after not being able to get needed care, Republicans in the state agreed on a conceptual framework for its new Medicaid program that includes two key elements: 1) coverage for all in the state who are eligible for the program; and 2) taxing hospitals and other healthcare organizations to pay for the state's share of the program's cost.
The state of Alaska is estimating that its new Medicaid program will result in 4,000 new jobs throughout the state. Most of the jobs will be in the healthcare industry, but some will be in construction, hospitality and other fields.