Schwarzenegger Airs Medicaid Cost Concerns, but Still Backs Action - WSJ.com:
"California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday reiterated his call for Congress to pass a bill this year to overhaul the U.S. health-care system, while also expressing concerns about the legislation's potential impact on state budgets.
In a letter sent to congressional leaders, the governor -- one of few prominent Republicans supporting the health effort in Washington -- said he opposed proposals to expand Medicaid to provide health-care coverage to the uninsured. Such expansions, which other governors are also protesting, could cost California more than $1 billion a year, Mr. Schwarzenegger said.
'Our state cannot afford its current Medicaid program as structured and governed by federal rules,' Mr. Schwarzenegger said. 'Mandating the addition of 25% more people into an already fiscally unsustainable program will only worsen our situation.'"
"California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday reiterated his call for Congress to pass a bill this year to overhaul the U.S. health-care system, while also expressing concerns about the legislation's potential impact on state budgets.
In a letter sent to congressional leaders, the governor -- one of few prominent Republicans supporting the health effort in Washington -- said he opposed proposals to expand Medicaid to provide health-care coverage to the uninsured. Such expansions, which other governors are also protesting, could cost California more than $1 billion a year, Mr. Schwarzenegger said.
'Our state cannot afford its current Medicaid program as structured and governed by federal rules,' Mr. Schwarzenegger said. 'Mandating the addition of 25% more people into an already fiscally unsustainable program will only worsen our situation.'"
