Rick Perry: Medicaid Expansion Would 'Benefit No one'

Republican Texas Gov. Rick Perry says that while "we care about our poorest Texans,” an expanded Medicaid program is not the answer.

“We want them to have the best care possible, and that cannot happen with a program that is on its way to bankruptcy,” Perry said at a press conference Monday, flanked by other state GOP leaders, Politico reported.

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“It would benefit no one in our state to see their taxes skyrocket and our economy crushed as our budget crumbled under the weight of oppressive Medicaid costs,” Perry said.

A court ruling on Obamacare allows states to opt in or out of Medicare expansion. Joining in would insure 1.5 million lower-income Texas residents and bring the state $90 billion of federal funds in the first 10 years of the program, The Hill reports.

But Perry said that would put Texas “hostage” to the federal government.

He criticized other governors who are Obamacare critics who have given in to demands to expand Medicare in their states. Perry said they will “come to rue the day, because Medicaid will take a larger and larger share of their state budgets.”