12-19-13 medicaid expansion

A Democratic lawmaker says its not too late to bring more Medicaid money to Wisconsin.  State representative Melissa Sargent has introduced a bill that would allow Wisconsin counties to get federal money to pay a for expanded Medicaid services, sidestepping Republican governor Scott Walker and the GOP controlled legislature.  Sargent admits it will be an uphill battle to convince any Republican lawmakers to change their minds but says 18 county boards across the state have have voted  in favor along with the Wisconsin Counties Association.   Sargent says accepting the money would provide coverage to more people at less cost to state taxpayers.  Responding to comments by the state Department of Health Services that  governor Walker’s goals have put Wisconsin in a position to better manage its finances long term, while creating a system where every Wisconsin individual and family has access to affordable health insurance.   Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel says while he supports Medicaid expansion, he has some concerns about the proposal.  "Okay we get the federal dollars for three years but then it starts getting phased down and who's going to pick up that other 10 percent of the cost,"  Buechel said.  Sargent and Buechel made the comments on AM 1170 WFDL’s Between the Lines program.