Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Rush For Louisiana's Medicaid Expansion Signals Broad Health Care Needs
The outpouring of sign-ups after the state expanded its Medicaid program in June have surprised even the staunchest supporters. Experts say the flood of new, low-income patients shows just how great the need is in Republican-run states that have fought the health law.
Patients burst into tears at this city鈥檚 glistening new charity hospital when they learned they could get Medicaid health insurance. In Baton Rouge, state officials had to bring in extra workers to process the flood of applications for coverage. And at the call center for one of Louisiana鈥檚 private Medicaid plans, operators recorded their busiest day on record. The outpouring began in June, when Louisiana became the 31st state to offer expanded Medicaid coverage through the Affordable Care Act, effectively guaranteeing health insurance to its residents for the first time. (Levey, 8/4)
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