Governor Brewer's proposal has come as a surprise to many since she is known to oppose the federal health care law known as the Affordable Care Act.

Thursday afternoon at Yuma Regional Medical Center the governor stood her ground with her decision of expanding medicare by saying it is the right thing to do not only for Yuma but for the entire state of Arizona. "This will save thousands of jobs in communities across the state, likewise our hospital presidents and CEO's understand the growing cost they face in providing care to the uninsured," said Brewer.

Under the legislation, Washington would pay the entire cost of the Medicaid expansion for the first three years, gradually phasing down to 90 percent of the cost after that. Brewer said her proposal will help our local hospitals and will not come from tax payer dollars or the state's general fund.

She said accepting the federal dollars and expanding Medicare will bring in 2 billion dollars to our economy. " Bottom line, if we don't accept those 2 billion dollars it's not going against the federal deficit. That money will go into the joining states," said Brewer.

Some board members and representatives at YRMC spoke at this event and are in favor of the governor's proposal.