Some Pa GOP Senators Get Behind Medicaid Expansion

By Tony Romeo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Several Republican members of the Pennsylvania Senate now indicate they support expanding Medicaid eligibility, but a spokesman for the Senate majority leader says it won't matter much if the governor doesn't get behind it.

Saying he hasn't yet gotten answers from the Obama administration about his concerns, Governor Corbett continues to resist Medicaid expansion. Now, at least three Republican members of the state Senate – a chamber where the GOP's margin is just 27 to 23 – say they would support expansion.

But Erik Arneson, spokesman for the majority leader, does not envision a scenario where a bill to expand Medicaid eligibility would pass the Senate with Democrats joining a handful of Republicans.

"I think unless there is a sign from the administration that the governor is open to a discussion that could lead to him signing some sort of bill – I don't expect any legislation to advance in the general assembly."

Governor Corbett has said he will discuss his Medicaid concerns with the Health and Human Services secretary but that meeting has not yet been scheduled.