Governor

Gov. Charlie Baker, Democrats Spar Over Medicaid Shakeup

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker has delivered an ultimatum of sorts to Democrats on health care.

He's asked the Legislature to act within two months on a package of changes he's proposed in the state's Medicaid program, known as MassHealth.

The stakes are high. Baker and legislative leaders agree on the need to rein in the escalating costs of MassHealth, which covers about 1.9 million residents and consumes 40 percent of the state budget.

But the governor's plan is getting pushback from some Democrats who argue it has not been properly vetted and would cause harm to thousands of low-income families.

The plan would shift 140,000 non-disabled adults with incomes above 100 percent of the federal poverty level from Medicaid to the state's subsidized ConnectorCare program.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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