A top Wyoming lawmaker says he believes the state should opt out of expanding its Medicaid program, a key component of the federal Affordable Care Act.

Republican Senator Phil Nicholas of Laramie (pictured) is co-chairman the Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee. Speaking at Thursday’s meeting, Nicholas said he believes that Wyoming is likely to get stuck with the extra costs if it agrees to expand the low-income health program despite federal promises to pay most of the tab.

The Medicaid program served over 77,000 people a year in Wyoming last year at a joint state-federal cost of over $500 million.

Gov. Matt Mead told reporters this week he will decide by next month whether to recommend lawmakers accept the federal Medicaid expansion offer.