Corbett: Medicaid Talks At 'Breaking Point'
By Tony Romeo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Governor Corbett's frustration over negotiations with the federal government has touched off speculation that he might scrap his proposal to use Medicaid expansion funds to subsidize private health insurance plans.
Corbett has asked the federal government to allow him to use Medicaid expansion funds to pay for private insurance for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians who don't have coverage. The governor feels that the Obama administration is not making good on previous indications that it would allow for flexibility in Medicaid expansion:
"We're reaching a breaking point," he said. "I personally, with my patience… and I've got a great deal of patience… reaching a breaking point. And we need to see they're willing to work with us on that flexibility. So that's where we are right now."
But when asked if "reaching a breaking point" meant he was actively considering withdrawing his request for a Medicaid waiver, the governor said he would continue working with the Department of Health and Human Services.