Dems Pressure Gov. Mead over Medicaid

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming Democrats are trying to turn up the heat on Gov. Matt Mead and other Republicans over their opposition to expanding Medicaid to cover 17,600 low-income adults in the state.

The federal government has promised to pick up the bulk of the cost of the expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Mead, a Republican, has said he opposes the federal law and doesn't trust the federal government to follow through on funding promises.

Wyoming Democrats including Party Chairman Pete Gosar held a press conference Friday to announce they're pushing to raise public awareness of the issue. They accuse Republicans of allowing their political opposition to health reform to deprive working people of health care.

The Legislature will consider the issue in its budget session starting in February.