A number of Republican governors who have seen the benefits of Medicaid expansion—to their state budgets, to their hospitals, and particularly to their citizens—are fighting congressional Republicans over Obamacare repeal.

President-elect Donald Trump heaped more pressure on resolution of the issue this week when he vowed to "repeal and replace Obamacare essentially simultaneously" after the Senate confirms Rep. Tom Price, his pick for HHS secretary.

But Trump's push comes as at least five of the 16 Republican governors of states that took federal money to expand Medicaid are advocating to keep it or warning GOP leaders of disastrous consequences if the law is repealed without a replacement that keeps millions of people covered. They include Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval.

And more Republican governors may join with a Friday deadline to submit written proposals to Republican leadership on the Hill.[…]

There are signs they are getting a hearing, at least: In the House, GOP lawmakers are speaking to four or five expansion state governors to see if they can find ways to address their concerns, said Rep. Chris Collins, a New York Republican acting as a liaison between the House and the incoming Trump administration.

"We don't want to leave them hung out to dry on the expansion," Collins said.