INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ The head of Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration is telling lawmakers that Gov. Mike Pence wanted to secure an extension of the Healthy Indiana Plan before starting any negotiations to expand Medicaid.
 
Federal officials signed off on a one-year extension of Indiana's state-run health care program earlier this month. 
 
FSSA Secretary Debra Minott told members of the General Assembly's Health Finance Commission Monday that Pence's team is now starting expansion talks.
 
Democrats and Republicans have spent the past year scrapping over whether Indiana should approve any expansion of Medicaid under the federal health care law. Pence has continually said the only expansion he would approve is through the state-run program.