Where the states stand on Medicaid expansion

A state-by-state look at expansion

EXPANDING COVERAGE (38 STATES AND WASHINGTON, D.C.)

• Alaska: Then-Gov. Bill Walker (I) on July 16, 2015, announced he would use his executive power to expand Medicaid to about 40,000 additional residents. The state's Medicaid expansion went into effect on Sept. 1, 2015.

• Arizona: On June 17, 2013, then-Gov. Jan Brewer (R) signed into law legislation that expanded Medicaid to an additional 350,000 people in the state. The signing came after Brewer called a surprise special session to try to resolve a deadlock among lawmakers on the state's budget and Medicaid expansion. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014. In September, 2016, CMS approved a state waiver proposal to require certain cost-sharing methods. Medicaid work requirements suspended.

• Arkansas: Then-Gov. Mike Beebe (D) on April 23, 2013, signed the state's alternative expansion plan into law. Under the plan, Arkansas uses federal money for Medicaid expansion to buy private insurance for about 250,000 eligible low-income residents. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014. Current Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) in June 2017 submitted a Medicaid waiver request seeking to scale back its alternative Medicaid expansion in part by capping eligibility for the program at 100 percent of FPL, down from 138 percent of FPL. CMS rejected that request but approved other changes such as eliminating retroactive eligibility.

• California: Then-Gov. Jerry Brown (D) on June 27, 2013, signed legislation that expanded the state's Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, to more than 1.4 million additional residents under the ACA. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014.

• Colorado: Then-Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) signed the expansion into law on May 13, 2013. He said that the expansion will save the state $280 million over 10 years and help cover an additional 160,000 adults. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014.

• Connecticut: Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) was among the first governors to sign up for the Medicaid expansion after the ACA was enacted. The state was one of five states that opted to expand eligibility early. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014.

• Delaware: Then-Gov. Jack Markell (D) on July 1, 2013, signed a FY 2014 budget plan that includes $29.8 million to "fund the State's Medicaid commitment. "The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014. More than 10,000 state residents have enrolled in the expanded coverage.

• District of Columbia: District officials sought permission from the federal government to expand its Medicaid program on May 13, 2010. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014. The move expanded Medicaid to an additional 35,000 residents.

• Hawaii: Then-Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D) in a statement on June 28, 2012, said, "The Affordable Care Act is our ally in this effort" to "to support a healthcare system that ensures high quality, safety and sustainable costs." The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014.

• Idaho: In the November 2018 elections, 62% of voters approved an expansion measure, which directs the state to expand Medicaid to individuals with annual incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty line. Medicaid expansion took effect January 2020. State officials in June said about 80,000 people had signed up for the expanded Medicaid program as of early June.

• Illinois: Then-Gov. Pat Quinn (D) signed Medicaid expansion into law on July 22, 2013. Approximately 342,000 low-income Illinois residents will be newly insured under the expansion. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014.

• Indiana: The federal government on Jan. 27, 2015, approved Indiana's alternative Medicaid expansion plan, known as Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0. In a major concession, federal authorities allowed Indiana to lock residents out of the program for six months if they fail to pay premiums. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Feb. 1, 2015.

• Iowa: On Dec. 12, 2013, then-Gov. Terry Branstad (R) announced that his administration and the White House had agreed on the final details of his plan to expand Medicaid. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014. Under the agreement, Iowa since 2015 has levied an additional premium on individuals with incomes exceeding 50% of the federal poverty level. The state promised that it will not drop individuals' coverage if they fail to make payments. The agreement also allows the state to use federal funding under the ACA to help more than 100,000 low-income residents purchase private health coverage through the new Iowa Health and Wellness Plan.

• Kentucky: Then-Gov. Steve Beshear (D) in 2014 expanded Medicaid in Kentucky via executive order. CMS in 2018 approved the state's plan to alter its Medicaid expansion program, including by implementing new cost-sharing requirements and eliminating coverage for dental and vision services. On November 5, 2019, state voters elected Attorney General Andy Beshear (D) to be Kentucky's next governor, and Beshear rescinded the waiver.

• Louisiana: On Feb. 6, 2013, then-Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) reiterated his opposition to expanding Medicaid in Louisiana. But in June 2015, the Louisiana state Legislature passed a veto-proof bill to create a funding plan for Medicaid expansion, in part by allowing the Louisiana Hospital Association's members to pay for a portion of the state's costs. In November 2015, Louisiana voters elected state Rep. John Bel Edwards (D) to be the state's next governor. On his second day in office—Jan. 12, 2016—Edwards signed an executive order to expand Medicaid in the state. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on July 1, 2016. In February 2017, the Louisiana Department of Health announced that more than 400,000 individuals had enrolled in coverage under the state's Medicaid expansion.

• Maine: Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) was a stark opponent to Medicaid expansion and vetoed several Medicaid expansion bills passed by the state Legislature. In November 2017, Maine voters approved a referendum to expand Medicaid under the ACA to an estimated 80,000 state residents. On January 10, 2019, Maine implemented Medicaid expansion, after newly elected Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed an executive order directing the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to begin expansion implementation and provide coverage to those eligible retroactive to July 2018.

• Maryland: On May 5, 2013, then-Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) signed into law HB 228 to expand Medicaid. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014. Officials projected about 165,000 state residents would enroll in the expanded Medicaid program in fiscal year 2015.

• Massachusetts: On July 5, 2013, then-Gov. Deval Patrick (D) signed into law HB 3452, requiring Massachusetts to expand Medicaid under the ACA. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014. Under current Gov. Charlie Baker (R), the state in September 2017 submitted a waiver request seeking to move certain enrollees into subsidized exchange plans to curtail state Medicaid spending. The request was still pending as of March 12.

• Michigan: Gov. Rick Snyder (R) on Sept. 16, 2013, signed into law a bill to expand the state's Medicaid program beginning in April 2014. The law contains cost-sharing provisions for Medicaid beneficiaries; it received federal approval for its alternative expansion plan in December 2013. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on April 1, 2014.

• Minnesota: Gov. Mark Dayton (D) in February 2013 signed legislation that expanded Medicaid to an additional 35,000 childless, low-income adults in the state. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014.

• Missouri: In February 2014, the state Senate defeated an effort to expand Medicaid in Missouri. However, Missouri voters in August 2020 approved a ballot measure that requires the state to expand its Medicaid program by July 1, 2021.

• Montana: Then-Gov. Steve Bullock (D) on April 29, 2015, signed legislation that expanded eligibility for Medicaid to about 70,000 state residents. On November 2, 2015, CMS approved Montana's alternative Medicaid expansion plan, which requires some beneficiaries in the expansion population to pay premiums equivalent to 2% of their income, as well as pay copayments. Coverage began on Jan. 1, 2016. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) in 2019 signed into law a bill extending the state's Medicaid expansion for an additional six years on the condition that state officials to seek federal approval for Medicaid work requirements. The request was still pending with CMS when President Biden took office.

• Nebraska: In May 2013, Republicans in the state Legislature filibustered a proposal to expand Medicaid, which was also opposed by then-Gov. Dave Heineman (R). On Nov. 6, 2018, 53% of voters approved a measure, which directs the state to expand Medicaid to individuals with annual incomes up to 138% of FPL—an estimated 90,000 Nebraska residents. The state's Medicaid expansion took effect on Oct. 1. The state is seeking a Medicaid expansion waiver to implement the program in ways that differ from what is called for under federal law.

• Nevada: Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) in December 2012 became the first GOP governor to commit his state to expanding Medicaid under the ACA. According to Sandoval's announcement, nearly 78,000 Nevadans would be covered by the expansion. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014.

• New Hampshire: On March 27, 2014, then-Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) signed bipartisan legislation (SB 413) to expand Medicaid coverage to an estimated 50,000 low-income state residents. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Aug. 15, 2014. Under a waiver approved by CMS on March 4, 2015, New Hampshire began enrolling certain Medicaid beneficiaries in private coverage through the ACA insurance exchange in 2016.

• New Jersey: Gov. Chris Christie (R) on June 28, 2013, signed a state budget that includes $227 million for Medicaid expansion in the state. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014. Officials estimated that in 2014 about 300,000 uninsured state residents would be insured under the expansion.

• New Mexico: Gov. Susana Martinez (R) on Jan. 9, 2013, announced that the state would participate in the Medicaid expansion. The state implemented an alternative Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014.

• New York: On June 28, 2012, in an announcement immediately following the Supreme Court's ruling on the ACA, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said the state would participate in the expansion. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014.

• North Dakota: Then-Gov. Jack Dalrymple (R) in April 2013 signed legislation expanding Medicaid in the state. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014.

• Ohio: The state's Controlling Board—a special bipartisan legislative panel— on Oct. 21, 2013, voted 5-2 to approve Medicaid expansion. This allowed Gov. John Kasich (R) to expand the program on Jan. 1, 2014, without approval from Ohio's Republican-controlled Legislature.

• Oklahoma: Then-Gov. Mary Fallin (R) stated her opposition to Medicaid expansion in November 2012. Oklahoma voters in June 2020 approved a ballot measure that adds Medicaid expansion to the state constitution. Oklahoma on July 1, 2021, expanded Medicaid to adults ages 19-64 whose annual income falls below 138% of the federal poverty level.

• Oregon: The state in 2013 moved forward with Medicaid expansion with the support of then-Gov. John Kitzhaber (D). State residents with annual incomes of up to 138% poverty level began to qualify for Medicaid on Jan. 1, 2014. On Nov. 6, 2018, 61% of voters approved Measure 101, which directs the state to continue implementing taxes on health insurance and hospital revenue to fund its Medicaid expansion.

• Pennsylvania: HHS on Aug. 28, 2014, reached a deal with then-Gov. Tom Corbett (R) to expand Medicaid coverage to as many as 600,000 Pennsylvania residents. The state obtained a waiver for an alternate expansion model, which included premiums for certain beneficiaries. The expansion began on Jan. 1, 2015. However, Corbett was defeated by current Gov. Tom Wolf (D) in the 2014 elections. Wolf in February 2015 announced plans to replace the alternate expansion plan with a traditional Medicaid expansion. The state completed the transition to traditional Medicaid expansion in September 2015.

• Rhode Island: On July 3, 2013, about one week before the state General Assembly adjourned for the year, then-Gov. Lincoln Chafee (I) signed a fiscal year 2014 budget measure that included a plan to expand Medicaid in 2014. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014.

• Utah: In the November 2018, 53% of voters approved a ballot proposal to expand Medicaid under the ACA to individuals with annual incomes up to 138% of FPL, which the state estimated would expand the program to about 150,000 Utah residents. However, the state enacted a law directed the state to submit waiver to limit the expansion to residents with incomes less than or equal to 100% FPL. CMS in March approved Utah's partial Medicaid expansion, and the state began implementing the expansion on April 1, 2019. CMS on Dec. 23, 2019, approved a new waiver request waiver to fully expand Medicaid under the ACA beginning Jan. 1, 2020.

• Virginia: Gov. Ralph Northam on June 7 signed into law a bill that expands Medicaid coverage to up to 400,000 low-income residents and instructs state officials to apply for a federal waiver to impose work or volunteer requirements and premiums on certain beneficiaries. The state's Medicaid expansion took effect Jan. 1, 2019.

• Vermont: Then-Health Care Access Commissioner Mark Larson in July 2012 said that Vermont would receive federal funds to expand its Medicaid program to a projected 47,000 additional state residents through the ACA. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014.

• Washington: Gov. Jay Inslee (D) on June 30, 2013, signed a state budget that expanded Medicaid in the state. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014.

• West Virginia: Then-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) in May 2013 announced that the state would expand Medicaid, extending coverage to an additional 91,500 state residents. The state implemented Medicaid expansion on Jan. 1, 2014.

NOT EXPANDING AT THIS TIME (10 STATES)

• Alabama: Then-Gov. Robert Bentley (R) in November 2015 said his administration was "looking at" expansion but has not yet "made a final decision" on whether to expand Medicaid or "exactly how that would work." The state has yet to move forward on expansion under Bentley or current Gov. Kay Ivey (R).

• Florida: The Florida Senate in 2015 approved a Medicaid expansion plan, but it was rejected by then-Gov. Rick Scott (R) and the state House. The state government almost shut down over a budget impasse linked to the issue, but state lawmakers in June 2015 reached an agreement on a final budget deal without an expansion. The state has yet to move forward on expansion.

• Mississippi: Republicans in the Legislature in June 2013 blocked plans to expand Medicaid to an additional 300,000 state residents under the ACA. Governor Tate Reeves (R), who was elected in November 2019, opposes Medicaid expansion.

• North Carolina: In 2013, the state's General Assembly passed a bill banning Medicaid expansion, but then-Gov. Pat McCrory (R) in October 2014 said that he would consider expanding Medicaid to an estimated 500,000 state residents. The state ultimately did not expand the program under McCrory. However, Gov. Roy Cooper (D) took office in Jan. 2017 and shortly thereafter announced plans to expand Medicaid through executive action. However, a federal judge has put a temporary stay on Cooper's Medicaid expansion request. North Carolina's Legislative leaders in July dropped their case because Cooper never filed a plan to expand Medicaid. They said they would refile their legal challenge if Cooper tries to advance an expansion plan.

• South Carolina: On March 12, 2013, the state House Republican majority rejected an expansion of Medicaid, opting instead to allocate $80 million in state and federal funding in South Carolina's budget for a hospital incentive payment program. Then-Gov. Nikki Haley (R) announced in July 2012 that she opposes expansion.

• South Dakota: Then-Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R) in Oct. 2013 said he was leaning against expanding Medicaid. Daugaard later proposed expanding the program during a budget address in December 2015. However, Daugaard in November 2016 announced he would no longer seek Medicaid expansion in his state amid then-President-elect Donald Trump's plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The state has taken no additional action to expand Medicaid.

• Tennessee: Then-Gov. Bill Haslam (R) on Dec. 15, 2014, announced an alternative plan to expand the state's Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act. The plan would use federal funds to extend coverage to an additional 200,000 low-income state residents by helping them to purchase health plans offered by their employers or by placing them in the state's Medicaid program. State residents with annual incomes up to $16,100, or 138% of the federal poverty level, would be eligible for the program. However, a key Senate committee in February 2015 voted against the proposal. Haslam in March 2017 said he was no longer considering expanding Medicaid.

• Texas: Then-Gov. Rick Perry (R) and the Republican majority in the state Legislature unanimously rejected the Medicaid expansion, although Democrats introduced legislation (HB 3791) that would establish a strategy to expand Medicaid. Perry's successor, Gov. Greg Abbott (R), also opposes Medicaid expansion.

• Wisconsin: Then-Gov. Scott Walker (R) on Feb. 13, 2013, said Wisconsin will not participate in the ACA Medicaid expansion, but will pursue its own strategy to expand health coverage across the state. In addition, the legislature's Joint Finance Committee in June 2013 voted against the expansion. Wisconsin has not adopted Medicaid expansion under the ACA but covers adults up to 100% FPL.

ACTIVELY CONSIDERING EXPANSION (2 STATES)

• Georgia: Former Gov. Nathan Deal (R) strongly opposed expanding Medicaid under the ACA and the state made no movement on expansion during his tenure as governor. But Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who took office in 2019, in March signed into law a bill that permits the state to seek federal approval for a partial Medicaid expansion and to impose Medicaid work requirements. In December 2019, the state submitted a proposed 1115 waiver request to expand Medicaid coverage to those at 100% FPL who work or take part in community engagement activities at least 80 hours per month. CMS on Oct. 15, 2020, approved the waiver and coverage is set to begin on July 1, 2021. However, it's not clear if the Biden administration will allow the partial expansion to remain in place.

• Kansas: Then-Gov. Sam Brownback (R) in 2013 and 2017 declined to expand Medicaid. But Gov. Laura Kelly (D), who was elected in 2018, and Republican leaders in the state Legislature on Jan. 9, reached a deal to expand the state's Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act. The deal includes provisions to help enrollees find jobs. However, the bill stalled in the state Legislature.

• Wyoming: The state's Wyoming's Department of Health in November 2014 proposed an alternative Medicaid expansion plan that would extend the program to about 18,000 state residents with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. The expansion plan called for a federal waiver to allow the state to charge monthly premiums and copayments to low-income individuals who choose to participate. However, the state Senate and House in February 2015 voted against the expansion plan, tabling the proposal for the rest of the legislative session. The state House in March passed a bill to expand Medicaid after Congress passed the American Rescue Plan, which gives states a 5% FMAP increase on their non-expansion populations if they expand Medicaid under the ACA. The bill now goes to the Senate.