Ohio Gov. Is Fifth Republican To Back Medicaid Expansion

Other governors are expected to reveal their stances within the coming months.

Governor John Kasich of Ohio, a Republican, says he is not a supporter of “Obamacare” but believes the Medicaid expansion makes sense for Ohio. He specifically singled out the working poor, saying the change would provide coverage for them—collectively covering about 366,000 more Ohioans.

He made his announcement as part of a press briefing on his $63.3 billion 2014-2015 budget proposal in the state capital of Columbus on Monday. Kasich joins more than 20 other U.S. governors, including four Republicans, supporting Medicaid expansion. Five Republicans oppose it and 13 Republicans and two Democrats remain undecided. This year should be a big deciding year on how the Healthcare law discussion will affect the country as governors propose new budgets for the fiscal year beginning July 1. (Reuters)

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Poor Medicaid Patients Could Soon Be Stiffed With Higher Fees

Obama administration trying to butter up Obamacare-hating Republican states

Millions of low-income people, many of them disproportionately black and Latino, could soon be required to fork up money they don’t have for Medicaid health care coverage. Under a proposed federal policy, the Obama administration is trying to lure Obamacare-hating Republican states into its programs by allowing those states to charge higher co-payments and premiums for doctors’ services deemed non-emergency care. The 2010 Affordable Care Act extended Medicaid to many adults without children and others who were previously ineligible. But the new proposal could severely hurt low-income families. For instance, a family of three with an annual income of $30,000 could be required to pay $1,5000 in premiums and co-payments. Leonardo D. Cuello of the National Health Law Program, expressed concern that “many people will be funneled into health insurance exchanges even though they have special needs that are better met in Medicaid.” The public has until Feb. 13 to comment on the Obama administration's proposal. Comments can be submitted at www.regulations.gov. (New York Times)

Before you submit your comments to the government, tell us, do you know a Medicaid beneficiary and how could the change effect them?

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Obama Not Backing Down On Entitlements In Fiscal Debates

President suggests Republicans still don't have his ear on Sociail Security, Medicare cuts

President Barack Obama, in his inaugural address on Monday, said a whole lot about forging unity between America’s lawmakers to solve big problem. But he says he will not cave to his opponents on protecting entitlement programs for the elderly and investing in the growing generation of young people. “We must make the hard choices to reduce the cost of health care and the size of our deficit. But we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its future," he said.  Obama went on to say that Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security – seen by Republicans as key factors in cutting the nation's budget deficit -- “do not make us a nation of takers; they free us to take the risks that make this country great." Political analysts expect the president will again call for a deficit reduction deal that does not erode the beloved safety nets, in his next State of the Union address on Feb. 12. (Associated Press)

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