Alaska Begins Implementing Medicaid Expansion Plan

Alaska became the 29th state (plus the District of Columbia) to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act when it began implementing its Healthy Alaska Plan Sept. 1.

“Many Alaskans are working two or three jobs to make ends meet, and have not been able to afford health insurance,” Gov. Bill Walker (I) said in a Sept. 1 statement. “The Healthy Alaska Plan ensures that working Alaskans will no longer have to choose between health care and bankruptcy.”

According to Walker, Medicaid expansion would reduce state spending by $6.6 million in the current fiscal year, and save over $100 ...