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Republican state lawmakers debating Medicaid expansion harbor doubts that the federal government will keep its financial promise to cover the cost, but are also trying to prevent the traditionally state run program from being further subject to federal demands. Under the 2010 health care overhaul, state Medicaid programs can be expanded to enrollees with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line. The expansion is 100 percent covered by the federal government until 2020, when states that expanded will be responsible for chipping in 10 percent. (Evans, 3/19)

Even though the Health and Human Services committee moved the second day Medicaid expansion hearing to a larger room, overflow seating was still necessary as concerned citizens, political action groups and other lawmakers listened to opposition testimony on House Bill 2319. ... On Thursday, the committee heard testimony from six conferees, including two representatives from Americans for Prosperity. The group, which is backed by Charles and David Koch, sent a senior policy analyst from Washington, D.C., to argue against expansion. (Sweeney, 3/19)

State officials told legislators Thursday that the state's share of Medicaid expansion costs could start at $100 million per year and increase from there, and those costs could double if the federal government required full funding of waiting lists as a condition of expansion. One day after her predecessor testified in favor of expansion under the Affordable Care Act, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Susan Mosier provided neutral testimony that warned legislators of potential fiscal pitfalls. (Marso, 3/19)

A proposal to expand Medicaid could have a difficult time regaining momentum after a state official testified that it would cost Kansas more than $2 billion over 10 years. The House Committee on Health and Human Services did not advance the bill on Thursday, leaving it in limbo. (Lowry, 3/19)

The Florida House and Senate rolled out vastly different health care spending plans Thursday, putting the two chambers on a collision course over the state's $77 billion budget. The Senate version includes $2.8 billion in federal money to pay for expanded health care coverage, something the House adamantly opposes. It also includes a $2.2 billion program known as the Low Income Pool (or LIP) that helps hospitals treat uninsured, under-insured and Medicaid patients. Reaching consensus on the two issues will be difficult and could require an extended or special legislative session. (McGrory, 3/19)