New Democratic governors move their states forward on Medicaid, equal pay, and more
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While House Democrats fight to reopen the federal government, the new Democratic governors elected across the country are working to move their states forward—a particularly big job for those who flipped seats in November, and even more so for those still cNew Democratic governors move their states forward on Medicaid, equal pay, and more
While House Democrats fight to reopen the federal government, the new Democratic governors elected across the country are working to move their states forward—a particularly big job for those who flipped seats in November, and even more so for those still contending with Republican-controlled state legislatures. A Democratic Governors Association round-up offers some highlights: In Maine, Gov. Janet Mills finally expanded Medicaid after former Gov. Paul LePage had repeatedly vetoed Medicaid expansion, even blocking it after voters approved it in 2017. Already more than 500 Mainers have gotten covered. In Wisconsin, while Republican legislators are standing in the way of Gov. Tony Evers’ push on Medicaid expansion, Evers signed an order that “instructs three state agencies to develop plans and offer recommendations on how to protect insurance coverage for people with preexisting conditions, make health plans more affordable and accessible, create insurance literacy curriculum for students and require insurers to be transparent about health plan costs, coverage and benefits.” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order promoting equal pay for women and men working for the state. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly reinstated employment non-discrimination protections for LGBT state employees that former Gov. Sam Brownback had ended, because of course he did. And Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak is taking aim at sexual harassment with a new task force. Undoing Republican damage will be the work of years if not generations, but it’s good to get the job started. Read more