Post by Logan on Mar 10, 2016 22:25:41 GMT -6
CONCORD — After more than two hours of debate, the House Wednesday voted 216-145 to approve a two-year extension of the state’s Medicaid expansion program covering 48,000 adults.
Sixty-eight Republicans joined with all 146 Democrats to approve the bill. It now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to pass.
Bill supporters said the program not only provides the assurance of health coverage for low-income citizens, it has reduced uncompensated care costs for hospitals and community health clinics and is the best tool the state has to fight the opioid crisis.
“With over 48,000 of our constituents currently insured through this program, it makes no sense to pull the plug and allow our federal tax dollars to be sent to other states,” said House Minority Leader Steve Shurtleff, D-Concord. “House Democrats understand that continuing this program is the best method of fighting our drug abuse epidemic.”
See more at: www.unionleader.com/House-votes-to-expand-Medicaid
Sixty-eight Republicans joined with all 146 Democrats to approve the bill. It now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to pass.
Bill supporters said the program not only provides the assurance of health coverage for low-income citizens, it has reduced uncompensated care costs for hospitals and community health clinics and is the best tool the state has to fight the opioid crisis.
“With over 48,000 of our constituents currently insured through this program, it makes no sense to pull the plug and allow our federal tax dollars to be sent to other states,” said House Minority Leader Steve Shurtleff, D-Concord. “House Democrats understand that continuing this program is the best method of fighting our drug abuse epidemic.”
See more at: www.unionleader.com/House-votes-to-expand-Medicaid