�鶹Ů��

Following news that billions of federal dollars for hospitals could be in jeopardy if the state does not expand its public health insurance program to cover more low-income Texans, Gov. Greg Abbott reiterated his opposition to Medicaid expansion — a tenet of President Obama’s signature health care law — and accused the administration of "coercive tactics against the States." (Walters, 4/20)

The fight over ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion escalated Monday, as Texas’s Republican governor backed a lawsuit from Florida against the Obama administration. ... The administration says some Florida hospital funding will not be extended in its current form past the June expiration date, arguing that the money should not go toward costs that would otherwise be covered by an expansion of Medicaid under ObamaCare. ... Aaron Albright, a spokesman for CMS, said the principles given to Florida apply in Texas and other states as well. “We will also use these principles in considering similar proposals in other states, but discussions with each state will also take into account state specific circumstances,” he said. CMS communicated that message directly to Texas in a call on Thursday. (Sullivan, 4/20)

Gov. Rick Scott received the backing of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday over his intention to sue the federal government for allegedly “coercing” Florida to accept Medicaid expansion. "I commend Governor Rick Scott’s decision to take legal action to protect these important constitutional principles. Texas will support Florida in its litigation against the federal government. Medicaid expansion is wrong for Texas. Florida’s approach should be determined by Floridians, not coerced by federal bureaucrats,” Abbott said in a released statement. (Rohrer, 4/20)

Texas officials and the Obama administration are nearing a showdown over Medicaid expansion that threatens billions of dollars of federal funding that helps healthcare providers care for low-income Texans and improve the quality of care. Texas' five-year Medicaid waiver is on track to end in September 2016. Under the waiver, the state draws $6 billion a year that's split into two pools—one for uncompensated care and another (known as the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment, or DSRIP, program) to encourage providers to increase the quality and cost effectiveness of care by creating innovative programs. The CMS notified state health officials in a call last week that the agency intends to use the same principles outlined in a recent letter to Florida regarding the future of that state's assistance for treating low-income patients. (Dickson, 4/20)

Saturday morning the Montana Senate gave final approval to Medicaid expansion with a 28-21 vote. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Ed Buttrey, R-Great Falls, now heads to the governor's desk. Gov. Steve Bullock praised passage of Buttrey's HELP (Montana Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership) Act He said the partisan fighting that sank the bill during the 2013 session threatened to do so again but "Democrats and responsible Republicans stuck together and shepherded the bill to final passage." (Inbody, 4/18)

Efforts to reach agreement on a state spending plan continued Monday, as the Legislature went into overtime. But even after a budget is finalized, legislators' work may not be done. Gov. Bill Walker has indicated he could call a special session if lawmakers don't address Medicaid expansion before adjourning. (Bohrer, 4/20)