Gov. Jindal asked to rethink Medicaid expansion

Associated Press

MELINDA DESLATTE, Associated Press

Updated: Nov 8, 2012 12:03 PM

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal is being urged by Louisiana Democratic leaders and advocacy groups to reconsider his opposition to expanding the state's Medicaid coverage now that the presidential campaign is over.

President Barack Obama's re-election is expected to stall efforts to repeal the national health care law.

The head of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Karen Carter Peterson, said families, businesses and health care providers can benefit from the law's provisions.

Jan Moller, leader of the Louisiana Budget Project, which advocates for low- and moderate-income families, says the expansion could provide health coverage to 400,000 people in the state.

Jindal didn't respond to multiple requests for comment about whether he'd change his stance.

The governor has described the Medicaid expansion as too expensive and an inappropriate growth of entitlement programs.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Political Pulse

We welcome your thoughtful comments. Be the first to participate in the discussion. All comments will display your username and avatar.