Summary:
Current Status of Medicaid Expansion in State:
Undecided, leaning “no”
Decision Process:
Unclear
Background:
Currently:
· Medicaid enrollment is 136,959 people, none of whom have Managed Care, up to 81-175% FLP depending on category of assistance. The state’s Medicaid program is overseen by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Expansion:
· An expansion of Medicaid coverage to 133% FPL would be a 37% increase in enrollment from the existing program.
Process:
· Thus far there has been legislative activity on a state exchange program but no decisions and little public information on the status of Medicaid expansion. Legislation in 2011, however, indicated that the state would not be expanding Medicaid as cuts were made to the infrastructure budget that would make it difficult to staff an expansion. (http://www.hss.state.ak.us/GCDSE/news/201102_bills.htm)
State Activity:
· The legislature has taken some action on the ACA but only indirect action on the Medicaid expansion. The Governor has indicated that the state will not participate in the expansion.
· Governor Parnell has issued public statements about serious concerns regarding the state costs that will be incurred through the expansion of Medicaid programs to 133% FPL. He has questioned the federal government’s commitment to pay for the expansion for 3 years and 90% after that.
· Alaska was one of the states that sued the federal government to repeal the ACA.
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