Don't Call It Medicaid Expansion

Is Republican House Speaker Chuck Kleckley calling for Medicaid expansion? No, that can’t be right. 

In the 2010 legislative session, Gov.Jindalsigned into law a largely symbolic bill declaring allLouisianiansfree from quote “governmental intrusion in choosing or declining to choose any mode of securing health insurance coverage.” That was shortly after the federal Affordable Care Act passed, and 31 Republican lawmakers, includingKleckley,co-authoredthe measure.

Fast forward to today.Kleckeypushed the resolution allowing Louisiana’s next governor to pay for Medicaid expansion. Both houses approved, and the governor has no say.

“[L]et me be clear, the resolution does not expand Medicaid and it does not make it easier to expand Medicaid," Kleckley said on the house floor prior to the resolution's passage in early May.

The resolution opens the door. If the next governor wants to expand Medicaid, the state match for federal funds would beponiedup by the hospital association. Does this baby step towards expanding Medicaid signify a change of heart for the legislature? Yes and no.

Prior to the resolution’s final passage, Democratic Sen. Karen Peterson called out the body’s previous resistance to the Affordable Care Act.

“Hold your nose, close your eyes. Try to forget for just ten seconds what and who you’re voting for -- that thing -- that three letter word, or is it a longer word, that I can’t say on themicbecause the hospital association will go nuts if I said it,” she said on the House floor, to laughter.  

All four major candidates for governor have said that they’re open to considering Medicaid expansion. 

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