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No Political will for Medicaid Expansion in Oklahoma

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — While some Republican-led states are exploring whether to expand Medicaid to include more low-income residents, Oklahoma's GOP leaders remain steadfastly opposed to the idea.

The head of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority says there is no effort underway to seek a Medicaid expansion or even develop an Oklahoma-specific plan for seeking available funding.

Indiana recently received approval to expand Medicaid through a state-run program, making it the 28th state to do so and the 10th with a Republican in the governor's mansion.

But in Oklahoma, even Republicans who support the expansion say the political will simply doesn't exist in the GOP-controlled Legislature.

Republican Attorney General Scott Pruitt continues to challenge the Affordable Care Act in federal court, and Gov. Mary Fallin says she's not interested in expanding Medicaid.