New Jersey GOPers withhold judgment on Christie’s Medicaid move

{mosads}Garrett said he “did not anticipate” Christie accepting the expansion, but did not criticize the move.

“I’ll have to see what his rationale is, and then we’ll have to figure out the other half of that, (which) is how that’s paid for,” Garrett said.

The federal government will initially cover the full cost of the expansion, although the state could incur some administrative expenses. Beginning in 2020, states that participate in the expansion will have to cover 10 percent of the costs.

Rep. Leonard Lance (R-N.J.) said he is a strong supporter of Christie’s and said he’s sure Christie carefully considered what would be best for the state. 

Lance did not support the Affordable Care Act and said he still believes several of its provisions will hurt consumers, but he said Christie’s acceptance of such a central provision would not pose a larger setback to repeal parts of the law.