Medicaid expansion in doubt even with Wisconsin Democrats in control
Wisconsin Democrats may hold off on expanding eligibility for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, what had once been among their top priorities, even as they're poised to take control of all levers of power in state government . Shortly before his election Nov. 3 as governor, Democrat David Crowley's campaign indicated Medicaid expansion is no longer viable, pointing to restrictions imposed by President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill that did away with financial incentives for expanding Medicaid. His campaign suggested Crowley's administration would revisit Medicaid expansion if and when Congress and a willing president reversed the restrictions. For years, Wisconsin Democrats had made Medicaid expansion a centerpiece of their policy agenda. It was a cornerstone of all four of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' budget requests since 2019 and was a constant refrain from party leaders. Wisconsin is one of only 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid eligibility to adults making up to 138% of the poverty level, or $22,025 for an individual and $45,540 for a family of four. Now, state Democrats are less keen on expansion. They say the calculus has changed under Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill. In April, state Sen. Kelda Roys, who lost
