Bills related to Medicaid and the governor’s power to accept additional federal money for a budget item are included in the first batch of measures filed ahead of the upcoming legislative session.
They follow Gov. Bill Walker’s actions last year to expand Medicaid after legislators tabled the issue for further review.
Walker followed a process in state law by which a governor can go through a certain committee when seeking to spend more in federal or other funds than allocated by lawmakers for a budget item. Even if the panel disagrees, a governor can proceed.
Legislation proposed by Republican Rep. Mike Hawker would provide a way for lawmakers to restrict that with budget language.
Hawker also has proposed conditions for Medicaid expansion to continue.
