Alaska governor will expand Medicaid despite legislature opposition


On Thursday, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker (I) said that he will accept federal funding to expand the state's Medicaid reach, despite opposition from the Republican-led state legislature. Some 20 states, mostly controlled by Republicans, have rejected the federally financed expansion of state Medicaid programs, a part of ObamaCare that was made optional under a Supreme Court ruling.
The 30 states that have accepted the federal funds "have already made the commonsense decision to accept Medicaid expansion," Walker said Thursday. "Why? Because it helps their residents, their economies, and their budgets." Alaska's legislature has blocked several of Walker's attempts to expand the health care program for the poor and disabled, and Walker said that using his executive authority to extend Medicaid to more than 20,000 uninsured Alaskans was his final resort.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read