Democrats plan to force states to expand Medicaid in filibuster-proof budget bill

Democrats in Congress are planning to force states to expand Medicaid as part of a forthcoming filibuster-proof budget reconciliation bill.

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a record 80 million people are currently on Medicaid, but Democrats are seeking to expand it further.

The federal government pays the majority of the costs to expand Medicaid on the state level, and state governments pick up the rest of the tab.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn said on Wednesday that there are 12 states, including 9 southern states, that have not expanded Medicaid, despite the federal incentives included in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act that President Biden signed in March to entice states to participate.

"We cannot wait anymore for the states who don't do it. We in the Congress have got to move to do it. And I'm pleased that the Biden administration has decided to support our efforts to give everybody the benefit of Medicaid expansion." South Carolina Republican Gov. Henry McMaster is one of the governors opposing Medicaid expansion.

"What the federal spending plan does is attempt to offer a short term solution for a long term problem." Clyburn was asked to respond to governors in states such as South Carolina who have cited long-term cost concerns as the reason for not expanding Medicaid.

" Leslie Dach of Protect Our Care argued that Medicaid expansion "has played a critical role in reducing racial disparities in access to care" and said his organization supports Democrats closing the Medicaid coverage gap.
 

https://justthenews.com/government/congress/democrats-plan-force-states-expand-medicaid-filibuster-proof-budget-bill