Hawaii one of 13 states expanding Medicaid coverage
Jamm Aquino / jaquino@staradvertiser.com
President Barack Obama’s health care law would expand the number of people on Medicaid by raising the income ceiling for eligibility, but some states aren’t so sure they want to participate because they are worried they might not be able to ultimately put up their share of funding.
Six states are rejecting expanding eligibility. Hawaii is one of 13 states electing to expand coverage. The rest of the country is undecided at this point.
Hawaii modified eligibility rules for Medicaid in July, which removed about 3,600 residents from the rolls. At the same time, Hawaii increased benefits for 14,000 people already enrolled in Quest, the Hawaii program for Medicaid. The move was made due to budgetary considerations last year, according to the state.
A divided U.S. Supreme Court upheld the health care law but said the Medicaid expansion would be optional, not mandatory.
MEDICAID: WHERE THE STATES STAND REJECTING EXPANSION: EXPANDING: Don't miss out on what's happening!Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
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UNDECIDED: Source: The Advisory Board Company |
