Nebraska: Medicaid expansion could impact voter turnout

[RandySF]

Gov. Pete Ricketts' cautious reaction to what appears to be a successful petition drive to place a Medicaid expansion initiative on the November ballot may be an early sign that the issue could be a factor in this year's election.

While the governor, through his campaign spokesman, pointed to concerns about the proposal's impact on funding for current Medicaid recipients, a pool largely composed of children and the elderly, Democratic challenger Bob Krist quickly announced his support for the expansion of assistance to about 90,000 low-income, working Nebraskans who are uninsured now.

Supporters of the initiative say more than 133,000 Nebraskans signed their petitions.

Those are two big figures that conceivably could translate into voters in November.

It's interesting to note that when a petition drive to increase the state's minimum wage gained access to the 2014 general election ballot, it not only won overwhelming voter approval, but the voter turnout in the metropolitan Omaha congressional district contributed to Democratic congressional nominee Brad Ashford's upset of veteran Republican Rep. Lee Terry.

But, whoa, there were other factors at play in the Terry-Ashford contest that were working against the Republican congressman. Terry already was politically vulnerable, so it would be a mistake to suggest that the initiative voter turnout was an overriding factor.

And yet, no doubt it motivated some of the voter turnout.




https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/don-walton-medicaid-expansion-could-impact-voter-turnout/article_fa77ecb7-fb26-5c60-af08-0dfe88ca50c4.html

[Algernon Moncrieff]

1. Republicans are fighting like Hell to get that ballot measure tossed

The claim is that it violates the State constitution. The state resisted expansion in their effort to be as uncooperative with the ACA as possible. I hope it passes, obviously.

I'm surprised there wasn't a more concerted effort to put legal weed - even medicinal- on the ballot. Ricketts is dead set against it and Nebraska is one of the plaintiffs suing Colorado; nevertheless, Iowa looks likely to legalize medical weed. It's another issue that would have driven turnout.

[RandySF]

2. Any sense on the senate race

It looks like a race that could blow wide open in October.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

4. Right now all of the races are quiet

No TV or internet advertising (either side), little polling data. The incumbents have shown up at parades, fairs, etc. But it seems like everyone is waiting for Labor Day.

[moriah]

3. In the states that haven't accepted expansion...

... I feel there's significantly different priorities and goals regarding health care than may exist in other districts.

In particular, it's why I won't chide a candidate in a non-accepting state for not pushing for M4A. When the absolute poorest can't get Exchange subsidies *or* Medicaid, it's completely understandable why candidates are focusing on getting the ACA fixed rather than replaced with anything. They're still trying to get the most vulnerable covered.

M4A resonates highly with voters already benefiting from/seeing the flaws in the ACA. But when their state hasn't even allowed the ACA to help those most in need... I can't blame those voters for having different priorities.

It's one of the things with running a 50-state strategy.... remembering not all 50 are at the same level currently. Many may legitimately feel it's more important to get what has been passed federally for their state's most at-risk residents made available to those in the greatest need.