Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/440819
ByCharlesBabington The Associated Press WASHINGTON Governors across the political spec- trum are hitting a road- block in their bids to ex- pand Medicaid with federal funds: Republican legisla- tors who adamantly oppose "Obamacare." While some of these gov- ernors themselves have crit- icized the president's health care law in general, they've come to see one component — Medicaid expansion — as too generous to reject. But they're battling conserva- tive lawmakers who say it's better to turn down billions of federal dollars than to ex- pand Medicaid under the 2010 law. Partisan politics have driven states' Medicaid de- cisions ever since the Su- preme Court ruled in 2012 that expansion was op- tional, not mandatory, un- der the new law. Within months, every Democratic governor agreed to expand Medicaid (although Repub- lican legislatures blocked a few of those efforts). Only nine states with Republican governors ac- cepted the offer. Medicaid, the health in- surance program for low- income and disabled peo- ple, covers about 65 mil- lion Americans, more than one in five. The federal gov- ernment will pay the full expansion cost for the first three years, and gradually reduce the subsidy to 90 percent. That's more than the traditional Medicaid federal match to states. The law expanded Medic- aid eligibility to adults with annual incomes up to 138 percent of the federal pov- erty level. That will qualify an individual making less than $16,105, and a family of four earning less than $32,913. So far, 27 states have agreed to expand Medic- aid. But several more, in- cluding some with Republi- can governors, now want in. These governors note that their residents pay the fed- eral taxes that fund expan- sions, so declining to par- ticipate amounts to subsi- dizing other states without receiving benefits. Several Republican gov- ernors and one indepen- dent are meeting Republi- can legislative resistance to their expansion pro- posals. Some have tried to woo conservatives by add- ing "free enterprise" provi- sions, which require federal approval. Perhaps the most aggres- sive GOP governor is Bill Haslam of Tennessee, who won re-election in Novem- ber. Meeting with newspa- pers and others, Haslam now says Medicaid expan- sion is "morally and fiscally the right thing to do." He told the Chatta- nooga Times Free Press that nearly every elected Republican in Tennessee "has run sometime in the last four years saying, 'I think Obamacare is really bad.'" He said his plan "is not Obamacare." Among other changes, it would of- fer vouchers to newly eligi- ble adults to help pay for employer-sponsored cov- erage, and require co-pay- ments for treatment. Some top Republican lawmakers have praised Haslam's idea. But others vow to fight it, calling the governor's tweaks mean- ingless. State Sen. Brian Kelsey says Tennessee vot- ers elected Republicans to shrink government, not ex- pand it. In Wyoming, Gov. Matt Mead opposed Medicaid expansion during his first term but now says it would save the state money and provide needed insurance to poor people. A committee of Wyo- ming's GOP-controlled legislature created uncer- tainty, however, by endors- ing a different version. It's modeled on an Indiana plan that would require new Medicaid recipients to pay into a fund similar to a health savings account. Federal officials have not approved the Indiana plan, backed by Republican Gov. Mike Pence. POLITICS Republican legislators thwart bids to expand Medicaid By David Crary The Associated Press NEW YORK Even as same- sex marriage edges closer to becoming legal nationwide, gay rights advocates face other challenges in 2015 that may not bring quick victories. In Congress, for exam- ple, liberal Democrats plan to introduce civil rights bills in the House and Sen- ate that would outlaw a broad range of discrimina- tion against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgen- der people. However, Re- publicans will control both chambers in the new Con- gress, and there is no sign that GOP leaders will help the bills advance. Absent such a federal law, activists will seek to pass more nondiscrimination laws at the state and local levels, but some efforts are meeting resistance. A con- servative-led coalition in Houston is trying to over- turn a gay rights ordinance approved by the city coun- cil in May, while a similar ordinance passed in August by the city council in Fay- etteville, Arkansas, was re- pealed by voters on Dec. 10. The Fayetteville vote was close — the repeal side got 52 percent of the votes — and the issue is expected to resurface. "Both sides have rea- son to continue on," said Mayor Lioneld Jordan, who supported the ordinance. "What we have to do is pull everybody together and see what can be worked out." Another contentious is- sue is the ban on transgen- der people serving in the military. Outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has suggested the policy be re- viewed but gave no timeta- ble, and advocacy groups are increasingly vocal with their impatience. "There is no valid reason that our transgender troops should continue to be pro- hibited from serving openly and honestly," said Ashley Broadway of the American Military Partner Associa- tion, which represents part- ners, spouses and families of LGBT service members. Friction over transgen- der rights also is surfacing in school policies, as evi- denced by a controversy in Gloucester, Virginia. Offi- cials at Gloucester's high school allowed a transgender boy — who was born female — to use the boys' restroom, sparking complaints that led the county school board to reverse the decision. The board adopted a pol- icy on Dec. 9 that restricts male and female restrooms to students with "corre- sponding biological gen- ders" and says transgender students could use an "al- ternative private facility." The American Civil Lib- erties Union subsequently filed a complaint with the departments of Justice and Education alleging that the new policy is discrimina- tory and violates federal law. However, Alliance De- fending Freedom, a conser- vative legal advocacy group, commended the Gloucester school board and circulated a proposed "model pol- icy" for other districts that would restrict transgender students' use of commu- nal restrooms. The group said it would consider of- fering free legal defense to districts whose use of the proposed policy was chal- lenged in court. School sports teams also are a source of con- tention. In Minnesota, Re- publican Rep. Joyce Peppin suggested closer legislative oversight of the Minnesota State High School League after its approval in early December of a policy letting transgender athletes play on teams that best align with their gender identity. BEYOND MARRIAGE Challenges await for gay rights groups in year ahead DANNYJOHNSTON—THEASSOCIATEDPRESSFILE Supporters of Arkansas' law banning same sex marriage, top, hold a rally at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., as protestors carry flags and shout. All prices plus government fees and taxes,any finance charge,any dealer document,preparation charge and any emission charge.Subject to Prior sales & credit approval.Rebates subject to change.Some vehicle images in this ad are for illustration purposes only and may vary from actual vehicle. *On Select Units, see dealer for details. See dealer for complete warranty deals. **Must own 1999 or newer GM truck. ***Must trade 1999 or newer vehicle. 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