Georgia studying Medicaid expansion options

ATLANTA (AP) Gov. Nathan Deal has said the state can't afford to expand its already-strained Medicaid program to include 650,000 more residents, but his administration is studying ways other states are expanding their programs in case an alternative emerges.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that advocates of the expansion hope the review is a sign that Deal may be rethinking his opposition.

Deal's aides said budget analysts are just doing due diligence to ensure their decision makes financial sense.

In an interview on Tuesday with the Atlanta newspaper, the governor didn't rule out ever reconsidering Medicaid expansion, but he said the door remains shut "for now."