A First in the Deep South, Louisiana Expands Medicaid

Louisiana became the 31st state to expand Medicaid after Gov. John Bel Edwards signed an executive order Tuesday (Jan. 12) that will make more than 300,000 people eligible for the federal health care program.

 

The news conference marked a major break from the policies of former Gov. Bobby Jindal, who refused to expand Medicaid due to his opposition to the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama's signature domestic legislative achievement. Edwards said he plans to discuss his decision to expand Medicaid with Obama when he visits Louisiana on Wednesday.

 

With his signature, Edwards made Louisiana the first state in the deep South to accept Medicaid funding to care for the working poor considered in "the gap:" too poor to afford private insurance, but making too much money to qualify for the program.