Medicaid expansion squeaks by in Okla.; ballot initiative process was key in sidestepping state Republican leaders

A ballot initiative to expand Medicaid benefits via federal funding passed narrowly in Republican stronghold Oklahoma, with 50.48 percent voting yes and 49.52% voting no out of more than 673,000 cast. Most of the "yes" votes were concentrated in urbanized areas.

The move could help at least 200,000 lower-income adults, according to The Associated Press.

"Low-income households earning 133% or less than the federal poverty line will now be eligible for government subsidized Medicaid coverage with the state picking up 10% of the cost and the federal government paying the balance," the Tulsa World reports. "Under 2019 poverty guidelines, expanded Medicaid coverage would provide health insurance to a single adult making less than $17,236 annually, or adults in a family of four making less than $35,535 annually."  Oklahoma has the second-highest percentage of the population without health insurance, with 14.2%, or 548,316 individuals, lacking it, the World reports.

The referendum makes Oklahoma the 37th state to expand Medicaid (38th if you count Washington, D.C.). The ballot initiative process may have been a key factor in the vote in Oklahoma and other red states that have expanded Medicaid, enabling voters to make an end-run around conservative state leaders, Glenn Daigon reports for Who What Why.