DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A leading advocate of health care expansion says he's optimistic Iowa will expand Medicaid coverage to thousands of uninsured residents under a federal health care law despite opposition by Republican legislators and the governor. <\/p>\n
Des Moines Democratic Sen. Jack Hatch tells The Associated Press that after the general election, he'll lay out a plan to Republicans that will be hard to oppose. <\/p>\n
Under the federal plan, it would cost state taxpayers $237 million over eight years to insure 182,000 additional people through Medicaid. <\/p>\n
The federal government would pick up all costs for three years, with that share dropping to 90 percent by the eighth year. <\/p>\n
Branstad and other Republican governors say they won't participate in the program. <\/p>\n
Tim Albrecht, the governor's spokesman, says the effort is expensive, unsustainable and inflexible. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The rest is here: <\/p>\n
Health Care Advocate Hopeful of Medicaid Expansion<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A leading advocate of health care expansion says he's optimistic Iowa will expand Medicaid coverage to thousands of uninsured residents under a federal health care law despite opposition by Republican legislators and the governor. Des Moines Democratic Sen Continue reading