WASHINGTON---The National Health Law Program applauds HHS' announcement today that it will not allow partial Medicaid Expansions in the years before 2017. NHeLP agrees that HHS could not legally allow states to implement partial Expansions. On November 30, 2012, NHeLP and nine co-signors sent HHS a detailed legal memorandum discussing the requirements in Medicaid law and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for states to coverall individuals under 138% of the poverty line if they implement an Expansion. NHeLP also supports HHS' conclusion that states attempting to implement a partial Expansion through demonstration authority would not be eligible for the ACA's enhanced matching rate.

"Requiring full Medicaid Expansions is the right policy for vulnerable individuals: full Expansion will lead to better, more affordable health coverage for the lowest income populations," said NHeLP executive director Emily Spitzer. "Requiring full Expansions will also help avoid serious complications in ACA implementation across the country."

For more information on Medicaid Expansions, please visit www.healthlaw.org.