PA's Medicaid expansion to require 723 new workers

Pennsylvania's ambitious alternative to expanding Medicaid -- a private-market initiative that Gov. Tom Corbett says is designed to save money -- would require 723 new state workers, about one percent of the current workforce. The projected number of hires, detailed by state officials, is far higher than most states have needed and surprised some public-policy experts. Many states are adding employees to review applications and confirm eligibility, and to implement all the changes required by federal law. Those new hires typically are in the dozens. New Jersey, for example, said the contractor that coordinates its health benefits hired 38 permanent employees and 62 temps.