Pennsylvania’s GOP governor will expand Medicaid to 300,000 poor people

Pennsylvania has struck a deal with the Obama administration to expand its Medicaid program to more than 300,000 poor residents, the state announced Thursday.

Pennsylvania would be the 27th state (not including the District of Columbia) to participate in Obamacare's Medicaid expansion, and Gov. Tom Corbett would be the ninth Republican governor to sign on.

Corbett is among a handful of Republicans who have used the Medicaid expansion as a moment to petition the federal government for more flexibility in how they run the public program.

Pennsylvania, for example, received permission to charge higher earning Medicaid recipients  (individuals making between $11,670 and $15,170) a monthly premium of 2 percent of their income. Enrollees can reduce their premium though by participating in certain activities, like seeking an annual check up and attempting job training events.

Pennsylvania has estimated that, over two years, the program could provide coverage to as many as 520,000 low-income Pennsylvanians. Enrollment will begin on December 1.

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