MADISON -- Republican leaders of the Legislature's budget committee are defending their decision not to expand Medicaid as Democratic Gov. Tony Evers proposed.
Republicans said Tuesday the committee they control will approve spending $200 million more in state money in Medicaid over the next two years, without accepting federal money to expand Medicaid as Evers wanted.
That would have saved the state $324 million and Evers called for leveraging $1.6 billion in additional federal money.
Republicans say they are increasing funding for hospitals, nursing homes, personal care workers, direct care divers and aids to children and families.
Exact numbers about how the Republican plan differs from what Evers proposed were not immediately available.
Sen. Alberta Darling says Republicans are investing in people, not programs, while not expanding welfare.
