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Louisiana is becoming the first state in the Republican-dominated Deep South to expand its Medicaid program, with more than 233,000 people already enrolled in the government-financed insurance coverage that begins Friday. Medicaid expansion fulfills one of Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards' main campaign promises, embracing the health law championed by President Barack Obama after years of GOP stonewalling in Louisiana. (Deslatte, 6/30)

Most of the people eligible for Medicaid expansion work jobs that don't offer sick days. For those working in the hospitality industry missing work due to illness means a loss of income. Most newly eligible Medicaid recipients earn between $16,395 and $33,534 (the household income level can be as high as $44,961 for a family of six). James Comeaux, a vice president at Access Health Louisiana, said that means that nearly everyone in that category loses money when they miss work. (Litten, 6/30)

Hospitals and clinics throughout the New Orleans area are helping the state cover the costs of enrolling more people in Medicaid, a result of lawmakers being unwilling to pay for workers to assist with Medicaid expansion. The hospitals and clinics say these workers are crucial to ensuring the state can add the 375,000 recipients now eligible for the federally subsidized health care program. (Litten, 6/30)

Gov. Matt Bevin's week-old proposal to overhaul the state Medicaid program already is under fire from critics, who say it will cut benefits and reduce health care for some of Kentucky's poorest citizens. But a team of officials promoting Bevin's plan on Thursday told a group of health executives that they are confident of winning the required federal approval for a "waiver" to enact changes that the governor pledges will transform the $10 billion-a-year federal-state health plan that serves nearly one-third of the state's citizens. (Yetter, 6/30)