PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has held the latest in a series of rallies at the Capitol to show the effects her proposal to expand the state’s Medicaid will have on businesses, the medical community and patients.
Thursday’s event featured mental health professionals and patients who say expanding Medicaid will help a vulnerable population that badly needs ongoing treatment.
The rally comes as Brewer’s staff continues to negotiate the plan with legislative leaders.
A growing number of lawmakers say they believe the proposal may have the votes to pass. Democrats and moderate Republicans need to join together to overcome opposition from conservative Republicans opposed to Brewer’s embrace of a key provision of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law.
House speaker Andy Tobin thinks he’s short of votes in the House.
