Haslam Pledges to Give Legislature Time to Consider Medicaid Expansion

Governor Bill Haslam addressed the National Federation of Independent Business, which opposes Medicaid expansion. Image courtesy TN Photo Services

Governor Bill Haslam says he will make up his mind on whether to expand the state’s Medicaid program by the end of the month. He says he’ll leave time for the state legislature to consider his decision.

There’s no pressing deadline except that the state legislature intends to wrap up work in April and Governor Haslam needs lawmakers to sign off either way. If he does go along with the Affordable Care Act and expand the state’s Medicaid program, it could take a lot of convincing.

“If the decision is no, then their discussion is short I think. If the decision is yes, then I think they’ll need a decent amount of time to discuss that.”

Two Republican lawmakers are still trying to advance bills that would bar the state from expanding Medicaid. They argue the state still can’t afford it even though the federal government pays the bill for the first three years.

Democrats – outnumbered two to one – say the state can’t afford not to expand Medicaid, if for no other reason than to keep some struggling hospitals afloat.