Reporting by Chris Comisac of CapitolWire
House Bill 1075, the Public Welfare Code bill that contains Medicaid expansion provisions, mandates Pennsylvania joins the federal Medicaid expansion program.
That was confirmed by state Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland) the majority chairwoman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, following the Senate's 40-10 vote to approve the bill on Sunday evening, sending it to the House of Representatives for their consideration.
When asked if the Medicaid program expands even if no agreement has been reached between the governor and the federal government on any of the conditions listed within the bill by July 1, 2014, the date specified by HB1075, Vance said, "Yes."
She said that many of those conditions are cost-savers for the state's Medicaid program, but acknowledged it's possible the federal government might not agree to them.
Senate Appropriations Minority Chairman Vince Hughes (D-Philadelphia) was more confident that some type of deal will be worked out with the federal government.
Said Hughes: "I think the Obama administration has been watching very closely about what we're doing and we've been doing. We've talked to them on a regular basis and understand fully what their concerns are, what the existing law calls for, and what freedoms the state has or doesn't have in negotiations. So we think we're on good grounds with the Obama administration, and we'll [Senate Democrats] be monitoring the process as it goes forward."
And Hughes said he believed what he called a "historic" 40-10 vote sends a message to the House and Governor Tom Corbett that this is something that is very important to the Senate, and needs to be done as soon as possible.
But House Republicans have said they will not hold a floor vote for any bill that requires the state to expand its Medicaid program.
"Right now, we do not believe now is the appropriate time to, frankly, try and force the governor's hand ... it is an executive decision," said House GOP spokesman Steve Miskin on Saturday, citing the continued uncertainty regarding what the federal government might allow - or prohibit - the state from doing as part of a Medicaid expansion.
"It's kinda putting the cart before the horse," Miskin said of HB1075's proposal to require the governor to agree to expand Pennsylvania's Medicaid program and then negotiate the elements of an expansion.
However, after signing the state budget bill, Gov. Corbett, when asked about the Medicaid expansion provisions of the Welfare Code bill, declined to offer his position regarding those provisions.
Said Corbett: "First off, I don't have a bill on my desk - you're making an assumption. I'm not going to talk about that."
The governor did say his administration is still working with the federal government to come up with common sense solutions to make Pennsylvania's Medicaid program work better. Some of those proposals - such as work requirements, co-pays and using the private insurance market - are similar to conditions listed in HB1075.
"I'm not going to talk about anybody being forced or anything, but we are going to be looking for those reforms," said Corbett.
The House recessed for the day on Sunday after it passed the state budget bill. The chamber is scheduled to return for session on Monday, when House lawmakers are expected to consider several budget-related bills.
When asked what the House GOP might do, Miskin said Sunday evening there are several options available to the House GOP to avoid a floor vote on Medicaid expansion, and that the caucus is still considering all options.
Senate Republican leaders declined to say what their reaction might be if the House removed the Medicaid expansion language from HB1075 before sending it back to the Senate or sent necessary welfare code changes to the Senate in something other than a Welfare Code bill. |