Alaska governor says will accept federal funds to expand Medicaid
By Steve Quinn JUNEAU, Alaska (Reuters) – Alaska’s governor said on Thursday he would use his executive powers to expand the state’s Medicaid health program for the poor, in a bid to sidestep political opponents and bring coverage to more than 20,000 uninsured residents the first year. Governor Bill Walker said Alaska would accept $146 million in federal funds made available under President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare reform law, citing nearly 30 other states that have expanded Medicaid coverage. “(They) have already made the commonsense decision to accept Medicaid expansion.