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Lawmakers debate whether Medicaid expansion dollars could be redirected if expansion is rolled back
Summary
Members asked whether funds used for Medicaid expansion could be repurposed to other Medicaid needs. Representative Tanner said it is within committee authority to reallocate general fund dollars and cited Medicaid expansion as roughly a $1.3 billion program, noting the state share is a sizable general-fund amount.
Representative Kaler asked whether money freed by reforming Medicaid expansion could be reallocated to other Medicaid priorities. Representative Josh Tanner told the committee that general funds are within the committee's purview and that, while expansion totals around $1.3 billion, the state share (roughly 10%) represents a significant amount of general fund dollars.
Tanner cautioned the committee that any repeal without replacement would free funds only if the committee chooses to reallocate them, and urged members to consult fiscal notes and LSO resources before assuming savings. He also noted that the initial expansion projection was lower (the speaker referenced an earlier $400 million figure) and that enrollment and per-person costs have changed since expansion was enacted.
