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Tennessee has moved to the forefront of a new group of Republican-led states jockeying for hundreds of millions of dollars available under Obamacare for Medicaid expansions. Governor Bill Haslam, a Republican, announced yesterday that the state would expand its Medicaid program for the poor under a “real Tennessee solution” that the Obama administration supports in principle. Indiana, Utah, Wyoming and Alaska are also considering an expansion, at least 90 percent of which would be funded by the federal government. (Wayne, 12/16)

More than 80 business, health care and civic groups have formed the Coalition for a Healthy Tennessee to support Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to offer health coverage to more than 200,000 low-income Tennesseans. Haslam's "Insure Tennessee" plan would draw down federal money under President Barack Obama's health care law. It faces stiff opposition among some fellow Republicans in the Legislature, though some previous skeptics have said they are encouraged by the governor's deal with the federal government. (12/17)

A legislative committee has rejected the Wyoming Department of Health's proposed Medicaid Expansion plan in favor of a bill crafted by the committee. The Share plan was also endorsed by the governor. The bill approved by the committee would provide participants with a Medicaid-funded health savings account that they could use to purchase private insurance. Senator Charles Scott said that he believes that will encourage participants to be careful with their health care spending. ... The Committee vote marks the first time that the Joint Labor, Health, and Social Services Committee as endorsed a Medicaid Expansion plan. (Beck, 12/16)

A provision that would give the Wyoming Legislature final approval on a negotiated Medicaid waiver was voted down during Tuesday’s Medicaid debate by a committee of lawmakers. ... The question arose after Sen. Jim Anderson, R-Casper, proposed an amendment [to a bill] to install final legislative approval of rule-making from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the state Health Department. ...[Health Department Director Tom] Forslund said passage of the bill would give the department authority to submit a formal waiver application. The move is the next step in gaining federal approval for Medicaid expansion in the state. Tuesday’s final approval amendments would set the process back, Forslund said. (Graph, 12/16)