Could Indiana Governor’s Medicaid Expansion Deal Cut His 2016 Chances? - East Idaho News
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Could Indiana Governor’s Medicaid Expansion Deal Cut His 2016 Chances?

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P 012814 GovPence?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1422469869765Office of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence(WASHINGTON) — Indiana Gov. Mike Pence drew headlines this week for his odd if not just plain ill-conceived state “news” service. But the most consequential thing Pence may have done this week, at least when it comes to his 2016, is the deal he cut to expand Medicaid using funds available under Obamacare.

If Pence winds up running, his move will become a major point of contention with voters. If he doesn’t, he’s given some other key candidates a strong talking point, maybe even precious cover.

A 2016 prospect’s position on President Obama’s health care plan is shaping up as one of the biggest fault lines inside the Republican presidential race. Possible candidates will run the range of outright rejection of Obamacare funds — like Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry —  through special state-specific deals for some expansion such as in Wisconsin under Gov. Scott Walker, and now Indiana’s Pence, right up to accepting the money and the coverage expansion that was designed as a key piece of President Obama’s healthcare overhaul like New Jersey’s Gov. Chris Christie and Ohio’s Gov. John Kasich.

Of course, we’ll also have the senators in the field, who can — and almost surely will — take the clean stance that any acceptance of Obamacare funds is abetting a fatally flawed program.


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