NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam's administration has served written notice that it opposes a freshman Republican lawmaker's bill to block Medicaid expansion under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

Leslie Hafner, the governor's legislative director, wrote in a Monday letter to Rep. Jeremy Durham of Franklin that the administration opposes the bill on philosophical grounds.

Haslam spokesman David Smith said the governor has sent a similar letter to Democratic sponsors of a bill encouraging the state to participate in an expansion of Medicaid.

The governor has said he plans to make a recommendation to Legislature about whether to pursue an expansion by the end of the month.

The U.S. Supreme Court has left a decision on Medicaid expansion up to the states, though the federal government will pick up most of the cost.