Negotiations begin: Where do House, Senate, governor stand on Medicaid expansion? Is there room for compromise?

Senate leaders also to date have appeared dead set on “expansion lite,” increasing coverage only to those at less than 100% of the federal poverty level. This move would ensure the state does not receive about $1 billion a year in federal Medicaid dollars, plus nearly $700 million more over the first two years to cover expansion costs. Senate leaders say this would cause too many people to drop private insurance coverage. House leaders counter that having state taxpayers cover the cost of expansion — and provide coverage to far fewer people — instead of using federal dollars makes little sense. House Speaker Jason White has reiterated McGee’s vow to stand firm on the House position to cover people up to 138% of the poverty level, and thus draw down billions of federal dollars for the coverage and help upwards of 200,000 people.