Tomblin asking for flexibility from federal government with Medicaid Expansion

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Governor Earl Ray Tomblin is raising concerns to the federal government regarding the expansion of Medicaid and the insurance exchange in West Virginia.

Tomblin Monday sent a letter Monday to the Honorable Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services outlining the concerns.

In the letter, Tomblin asks for more flexibility when it comes to the requirements associated with Medicaid expansion.

“My staff and I have spent the last several months analyzing and evaluating the impact the federally mandated Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will have on the people of West Virginia,” Tomblin stated in the letter. “It is important that we be provided flexibility to expand Medicaid and work with the insurance exchange in a way that best serves our citizens today, and in the future-maintaining sound fiscal responsibility.”

Tomblin further stated that he is concerned that incomplete rules and guidelines provided by the federal government will prevent the smooth implementation of the Medicaid Expansion requirements and the functionality of the insurance exchange.

Tomblin is asking for a quick response to his questions from the federal government.

The decision to expand Medicaid in West Virginia was made on May 2, 2013.