Alaska’s Gov. Bill Walker moved to expand, saying he will ask the administration to to all residents the state. Noting that Alaska’s legislature had previously rejected expanding , Walker gave legislators 45 to call a special session if they want to stop him.
If the lawmakers don’t block Walker’s decision, Alaska will become the th state, plus the District Columbia, to expand under the Act. Governors in three other states – Kentucky, West Virginia and Ohio – have expanded without legislative approval. Montana is negotiating terms its participation with administration officials.
In Alaska, 25,000 additional residents stand to be covered by as a result Walker’s decision, an increase about 22% over current . President Obama recently noted that expanding in all states would extend to 4 million more Americans.
Walker, a former Republican who won his post running as an Independent, said his unilateral action “is the final option for me. I’ve tried everything else.”
Walker added, “Every that we fail to act, Alaska loses out $400,000. It would be foolish for us to pass up that kind boost to Alaska’s economy.”
Under the , the federal government reimburses 100% a state’s for expanding through 2016, and % thereafter.