Headlining in the final week scheduled for this Legislative session, the Governor has indicated he may veto any bill which seek to reform and cut Medicaid expenses if they don’t include an expansion of coverage.
The State House was working yesterday on their version of a reform bill…
Speaker Chenault(R-Nikiski): “That’s an issue that Finance is working on and we’ll see if they can come to some agreement before we get out of here next Sunday.”
Nikiski’s Speaker Mike Chenault said a Medicaid reform agreement is one of his top priorities, along with passing a capital and operating budget and his bill for Agrium tax credits.
The House version of the bill took precedence yesterday over Governor Walker’s bill and mimics one sponsored by Sen. Pete Kelly in the Senate.
Finance Committee co-chair Steve Thompson said the committee members want reform before they feel comfortable with expansion.
Governor Walker insists the State would benefit exponentially from using federal resources to reduce pressure on Alaska’s healthcare system.