President to propose extra incentive for states to expand Medicaid under ACA

President Obama will propose in his fiscal year 2017 budget that Congress give any state that expands Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act the same three years of full federal support and gradual phase down that states expanding in 2014 received, no matter when the state takes up the option, the White House announced today. “This common-sense proposal makes the expansion as good a deal for states that expand now as it is for the states that have already done so,” officials said. “It is further evidence of the Administration’s willingness to work with states to build on recent progress in improving health coverage and making Medicaid affordable to states and taxpayers alike. We hope Congress will act to provide this extra incentive to states that haven’t yet expanded, encouraging them not to miss out on the benefits other states are already enjoying.” The president is expected to release his FY 2017 budget request on Feb. 9.