Fallin getting, giving squeeze on federal spending

Conservative Republican governors such as Fallin were cool to Medicaid expansion and its ties to Obamacare. The U.S. Supreme Court last year ruled that Obamacare is constitutional but states could opt out of Medicaid expansion. Fallin has opted out. So far.

But other conservative Republican governors are opting in. The latest is Arizona's Jan Brewer, widely known for giving Barack Obama a piece of her mind a year ago on an airport tarmac. Brewer doesn't like Obamacare but says she will push for a Medicaid expansion that will, initially, be funded with more deficit spending.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is considering expansion because of pressure within his state. Still holding out, in addition to Fallin, are Rick Perry of Texas, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Nikki Haley of South Carolina.

Fallin has taken heat for looking a gift (Trojan) horse in the mouth. Her stand is principled as well as political. Obama and Obamacare aren't popular here. Expanding Medicaid, although it would cost the state relatively little now, could be an enormous expense later. And of course Washington isn't awash with non-borrowed cash.