Today's Brew looks at the 2020 ballot measure landscape + gives an overview of the Donald Trump impeachment trial
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Welcome to the Friday, Jan. 17, Brew. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:

* Oklahoma voters to decide Medicaid expansion via citizen initiative
* Chief Justice John Roberts, U.S. senators sworn in for impeachment trial 
* What’s the Tea?

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** OKLAHOMA VOTERS TO DECIDE MEDICAID EXPANSION VIA CITIZEN INITIATIVE
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Fifty-two statewide ballot measures have been certified for 2020 in 24 states so far, with seven certified in the past month. State legislatures referred two of those measures and the other five are citizen initiatives. By this date in 2018, 37 measures had been certified, while states had certified 52 measures at this point in 2016.

One measure we’re watching is WHETHER OKLAHOMA VOTERS WILL DECIDE TO EXPAND MEDICAID UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (ACA). State Question 802 would provide Medicaid coverage for certain low-income adults between 18 and 65 with incomes below 133% of the federal poverty level. BECAUSE THE ACA INCLUDES A 5% INCOME DISREGARD, THIS MEASURE WOULD EFFECTIVELY EXPAND MEDICAID TO THOSE WITH INCOMES BELOW 138% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.

Medicaid is a government program that provides medical insurance to groups of people with income below a certain level and individuals with disabilities. The ACA—which was enacted in 2010—provided for the expansion of Medicaid to cover all individuals earning incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in _NFIB v. Sebelius ([link removed]) _ the federal government could not withhold funds from states that refused to expand Medicaid. The ruling had the practical effect of making Medicaid expansion optional for states. 

The federal government financed 94% of the costs of state Medicaid expansion in 2018. For 2020 and subsequent years, the federal government is set to cover 90% of the costs. 

OKLAHOMA IS THE SIXTH STATE TO CERTIFY A BALLOT MEASURE CONCERNING MEDICAID EXPANSION. Voters in Maine approved the first citizen initiative to implement expanded Medicaid in 2017. The measure expanded Medicaid to persons under the age of 65 and with incomes equal to or below 138 percent of the federal poverty line.

Voters in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, and Utah decided Medicaid expansion initiatives in 2018 (Oregon’s vote concerned funding; the state’s legislature had previously approved Medicaid expansion). Voters in all states passed the initiatives except Montana.

A TOTAL OF 36 STATES AND WASHINGTON, D.C., HAVE EXPANDED OR VOTED TO EXPAND MEDICAID, WHILE 14 STATES HAVE NOT. The map below provides information on Medicaid expansions by state.

[States expanding Medicaid]Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) will determine whether the measure will appear on the June 30 primary ballot or the Nov. 3 general election ballot. 

From 1996 to 2018, 80 measures have appeared on Oklahoma's statewide ballot. Voters approved 62 (or 78%) of them. Between 1996 and 2018, an average of seven measures appeared on the ballot each even-numbered year in Oklahoma.

Learn more ([link removed])

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** CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS, U.S. SENATORS SWORN IN FOR IMPEACHMENT TRIAL 
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The impeachment trial of President Donald Trump (R) began Thursday—Jan. 16—when seven House impeachment managers, led by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), presented articles of impeachment for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress to the U.S. Senate.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts was sworn in as the presiding officer of the trial. Roberts then swore in all 100 senators to serve as jurors.

The trial is expected to continue with opening statements on Jan. 21.

Trump is the third president in U.S. history to be impeached. President Andrew Johnson was acquitted in 1868 after being charged with violating the Tenure of Office Act. In 1999, President Bill Clinton was acquitted of two charges for perjury and obstruction of justice.

 
** LEARN MORE→ ([link removed])
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** [WHAT'S THE TEA?]
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We took a break with our What’s the Tea? question over the holidays. I’m excited to say we’re back with our first question of 2020!

Like with all our What’s the Tea? questions, there’s no right or wrong answer, and your responses are completely confidential.

Now that we’re a couple of weeks into the new year, we’re kicking things off with a question about resolutions: IF YOU MADE ANY, HAVE YOU KEPT YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS SO FAR?

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Yes, still on track!→ ([link removed])

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No ([link removed]) → ([link removed])

* I didn’t make any resolutions this year→ ([link removed])

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