Alabama Might Expand Medicaid Coverage

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – The conservative Republican governor of a Deep South state, where the Affordable Care Act is often reviled in GOP circles, says his administration is mulling an expansion of the state’s Medicaid program.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said Thursday after a speech at a legal conference that his administration is considering expansion, but has not made a final decision.

Bentley, who is a doctor, said he was concerned about the health care access for the state’s working poor and rural health care infrastructure.

However, Bentley said a stumbling block is figuring out a way to fund the state’s share of costs.

Thirty states have expanded Medicaid under President Barack Obama’s health care law.

The governor has previously said he might support a state-designed program with work and premium requirements on recipients.