Governer concerned over Medicaid expansion plan

Governor Matt Mead says he has major reservations about the optional expansion of Medicaid that’s been granted to states by the Affordable Care Act.

The Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act enabled states to receive federal funding so they can increase Medicaid coverage. If Wyoming opts in, roughly 30,000 uninsured people in Wyoming could qualify for Medicaid. And the federal government would foot most of the bill.

But Governor Matt Mead sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sibelius expressing concern about expanding coverage. Mead Spokesman Renny MacKay says the governor is worried about adding to the federal debt.

"He just has real concerns about where the Federal Government thinks that they can get the money for this expansion," MacKay says.

Mead also says he’s concerned that using federal money to expand Medicaid could take away the state’s prerogative to make decisions affecting its citizens.