Today, the Alabama Senate overwhelmingly (22-8) adopted Senate Joint Resolution 34 to express the body's intent to not expand or fund the expansion of Medicaid. The effort was led by Senator Trip Pittman (R-Daphne), with 20 Senate Republicans signing on as co-sponsors. The text of the resolution expresses concerns that expansion, whether under the ACA or via waivers, would dramatically increase the number of Alabamians dependent upon public assistance, would not offer the state any meaningful control over eligibility requirements, and would further strain the state's General Fund.

The Joint Resolution will now be sent to the Alabama House of Representatives.

The Alabama Policy Institute has worked tirelessly to educate and inform the general public and our state leaders on the negative consequences experienced by other states after expansion. Aside from the added strain to a state's current Medicaid program, the state share of the cost of expansion has been repeatedly underestimated. Furthermore, there exists a very real threat that the federal government will renege on the enhanced reimbursement rate used to entice states to expand. We applaud this action by the Alabama Senate.

This effort is also supported by the Alabama Forestry Association, Sixty Plus, Alabama Free Market Alliance, and the Foundation for Government Accountability.