Michigan's largest nurses union is in Lansing today lobbying for Medicaid expansion.
The issue has been locked in a political debate at the state capitol for months.
John Karebian is the executive director of the Michigan Nurses Association. He says Medicaid expansion is being “held hostage” by Republicans still angry over the passage of the Affordable Care Act.
“For those who have these ideological vendettas against health care reform and Obama-care, it’s time to get over that and do what’s right for the people of this state and not hold this issue hostage,” says Karebian
The federal government will cover the full costs of Medicaid expansion through 2016 and then gradually reduce funding to 90% by 2020.
Supporters of expanding Medicaid eligibility to more than 400,000 Michigan residents say a deal is within reach.
A legislative committee is taking up a new Republican rewrite of the legislation today.
