Alaskan Gov. Bill Walker on Thursday announced his intentions to expand Medicaid in the state under the Affordable Care Act.
The Independent governor sent a letter to the Republican-controlled legislature informing them of his plan to offer expanded benefits beginning Sept. 1. The state legislature has twice quashed Walker's attempts to pass a bill granting the benefits.
He said even if a legislature committee rejects his proposal, he said he has the statutory authority to move forward with it.
The ACA, or Obamacare, provided additional federal funding to states to expand Medicaid funding programs. Earlier this month, President Barack Obama encouraged all states that haven't expanded Medicaid to do so, saying it could insure 4 million more people in 22 states.