INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ The Indiana House Democratic leader is calling news that the state can continue its Healthy Indiana Plan while negotiating a possible Medicaid expansion a “failure'' by Gov. Mike Pence.
Rep. Scott Pelath of Michigan City says Pence is playing politics with more than 400,000 Indiana residents who would qualify for Medicaid under an expansion.
Pence declared victory on the issue Tuesday following months of negotiation with the federal health care officials. Pence originally had sought to expand Medicaid using the state-run plan, but his health insurance team lowered its expectations following a June meeting with federal officials.
The extension through next year allows Indiana to add a few more thousand low-income residents to the Healthy Indiana Plan but cuts in half the maximum income a plan participant can earn.
