U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu says Gov. Bobby Jindal's refusal to expand Louisiana's Medicaid program is tied to his presidential ambitions at the expense of benefits for his home state.

The Democratic senator accused the Republican governor of obstructionism.

Landrieu said Jindal seems adamant about putting his political future ahead of the economic interests of the people of Louisiana.

The Governor quickly fired back by saying, "Senator Landrieu voted to cut Louisiana's Medicaid program by over a billion dollars and now she's worried about Louisiana families?  Sounds like she's gearing up for another campaign."

He added, "Senator Landrieu may have spent too much time in Washington, D.C. with President Obama where the economy is booming and not enough time back in Louisiana where real people are working in the American economy."

Jindal says he disagrees with the growth of the federal government health care program. He says insurance is better handled by private companies and states should be free to design health programs that suit their individual needs.

Estimates are that 400,000 Louisiana residents could be eligible for Medicaid if the state chose to expand the government-run health insurance program, with the federal government paying most of the costs.

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