WASHINGTON ― Virginia Gov.-elect Ralph Northam drew the ire of progressives on Sunday, who accused him of walking back ― before even taking office ― his promise to expand Medicaid for more low-income people. Northam, a moderate Democrat who twice voted for George W. Bush in presidential elections, also told the Post he is concerned about the fiscal impact of Medicaid in his state:Northam said he has no plans to try to force Republicans to accept a broad expansion of Medicaid. Instead, he has begun talks with lawmakers in both parties about overhauling the state’s Medicaid system to expand access to health care while better defining eligibility to control costs. seeing how we can provide better service and at the same time cut costs” through “managed-care Medicaid,” he said in the interview. Northam’s comments drew an angry response from progressives on Twitter, including the man he defeated in his state’s gubernatorial Democratic primary, Tom Perriello.

Source: Huffington Post December 17, 2017 18:45 UTC