Federal Government Will Pick up the Tab for Medicaid Expansion

Beginning in 2014, Washington state has an opportunity to benefit from billions in federal funding, while covering hundreds of thousands more people with health coverage.

For the first three years (2014-16), the federal government will pick up 100 percent of the costs to cover those who gain eligibility under the expansion of Medicaid. Beginning in 2017, the federal contribution begins to gradually taper down until it settles at 90 percent in 2020 and every year after. That means our state will contribute a mere 10 cents for every dollar the federal government pays.

This is a deal Washington state cannot afford to pass up. Doing so would cost our state roughly $10 billion in lost federal funds over seven years (2014-20).

This is the second post in our series on Why Medicaid Expansion is a Good Idea. To see the full info graphic click here.