MECEP: Medicaid expansion has jobs benefit
A new study by the Maine Center for Economic Policy says accepting federal dollars to expand Medicaid to uninsured Mainers would have economic benefits. The finding by the left-leaning think tank comes in the wake of Gov. Paul LePage's opposition to Medicaid expansion.
MPBN reported the study says expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act would cover more than half of the 128,000 uninsured Mainers and would add 3,100 jobs and $350 million in economic activity.
The Bangor Daily News reported that LePage began speaking with federal officials about expanding Medicaid this week, but that the governor remains opposed to the idea.
Republicans largely oppose the Medicaid expansion as well. Ken Fredette, Maine House minority leader, told MPBN that he doubts the federal government can sustain funding for expansion of Medicaid.
Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government would pay for 100% of the cost of expanding Medicaid for the first three years, after which it would reduce its portion to 90% of the cost.
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