ATLANTA (AP/WAOK) - A new study projects that expanding Georgia’s Medicaid health care program would cost the state about $2.5 billion over a decade while providing half a million uninsured Georgians with coverage.

The study, released Monday by the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation, estimates that more than $33 billion in new federal money would flood into Georgia over a 10-year period.

Officials say the study is the latest analysis of the cost of expanding Medicaid under the health law.

Nationwide, state leaders are debating whether to expand the program as they continue to struggle with huge budget shortfalls.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has said Georgia can’t afford to expand the program, already facing a shortfall of hundreds of millions of dollars, even with the substantial federal help.