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States weigh whether to take gov't funding, expand Medicaid

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    William La Jeunesse reports from Los Angeles

  • Duration 2:32
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Right now Ohio the latest state to say yes to hundreds of millions of Obama care dollars.

So the Buckeye State can expand -- Medicaid program to more poor people.

Not all states though are falling in line to accept what looks like easy Uncle Sam money.

William La Jeunesse live from Los Angeles with that William.

But Johnny be a fool not to take this deal I will give -- -- dollar if you give me a dime and that's the care at the feds are offering state to agree to help pay not just for Medicaid for the poor.

But expanded Medicaid for those not quite as poor but some states are not taking the -- -- can we simply wag our finger at the federal government.

Just me but I got -- It's a choice every governor faces expand Medicaid or not this was about the man.

We can't afford it Nebraska governor Dave Heineman -- fourteen other Republican governors.

Unlikely to accept the federal government's promise to pay up to 90% of the cost of medical care for the poor.

Eleven states are undecided.

-- -- plan to take the money including Arizona.

With this move.

We will secure -- federal revenue stream to cover the cost of the onions here.

On the other hand taking the money means bigger government and could actually cost more in the long run.

Because any state that says yes must still pay millions and matching funds to cover what Washington does not.

Medicaid has potential to bankrupt the states Heineman fears of bait and switch the -- -- you on 90% then reduce the reimbursement.

It's being portrayed as free money to expand Medicaid and to expand health insurance but.

That's not a promise that it has to keep the federal government could ratchet that down ratchet it down to 80% to 70% to 60%.

Medicaid currently covers sixty million Americans earning less than 23000 dollars a year for a family of four.

Expanded Medicaid would increase -- to ninety million for families earning up to 31000.

Cost.

A trillion dollars.

There's people say it's free federal money.

That is our tax dollars your tax dollars and my tax dollars so don't pull that game on me.

The most social programs are -- -- cost in furnace can change over time special -- start with a 40% federal funding is now 19%.

I was point is this John he has a pot of money if he spends twelve million dollars more a year on Medicaid that's that much less he spends an education.

That's a trade he's not willing to make.

John William La Jeunesse in Los Angeles interest to thank you.

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