Beshear Urged To Opt Out Of Medicaid Plan

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...House Republican Leader Jeff Hoover is calling on Governor Steve Beshear to opt out of one of the more expensive provisions of the federal health care reforms, opening the state's Medicaid program to more people. Senate Republicans say doing so could add $500 million in costs to the program that traditionally has served the poor, elderly and disabled. The additional Medicaid costs could jeopardize the state's ability to pay for other government services. Under the health care reforms, the federal government would initially cover the increased Medicaid costs. But in future years, part of that cost would shift back to the state. Hoover says that would leave lawmakers with the decision to cut other state programs or raise taxes.