Maine governor's Medicaid plan could lead to 'direct confrontation' with feds

Gov. Paul LePage views the recent Supreme Court health law decision as license to make deep cuts to Maine's Medicaid rolls. Meanwhile, in news related to the Medicaid expansion, Arkansas officials estimate future savings of $372 million if it proceeds with the expansion.

The New York Times: Maine Debate Hints At Rift On Medicaid After Ruling
As some Republican governors declare that they will not expand Medicaid under the national health care law, Gov. Paul R. LePage is going a step further. In what could lead to a direct confrontation with the Obama administration, he is planning to cut thousands of people from Maine's Medicaid rolls, arguing that the recent Supreme Court ruling on the law gives him license to do so (Goodnough and Pear, 7/18).

The Associated Press/CBS News: Ark. DHS: $372M In Savings From Medicaid Expansion
Arkansas would save $372 million over the next several years if it goes forward with an expansion of Medicaid under the federal health care law after the savings from the law and new state tax revenue are factored in, state officials said Tuesday. The Arkansas Department of Human Services released the new numbers as Gov. Mike Beebe weighs whether to agree to the expansion (7/18).