Missouri governor drops voter-approved Medicaid expansion
by David A. Lieb, The Associated Press
Posted May 13, 2021 10:21 am EDT
Last Updated May 13, 2021 at 10:27 am EDT
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Missouri Gov. Mike Parson dropped plans Thursday to expand the state’s Medicaid health care program to thousands of low-income adults after the Republican-led Legislature refused to provide funding for the voter-approved measure.
The Republican governor said his administration had withdrawn a request to expand coverage that had been submitted to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in compliance with a constitutional amendment passed by voters last November.
He noted that the state’s $35 billion budget approved by lawmakers last week didn’t provide the funding he had requested for an expansion of Medicaid, which is known is Missouri as MO HealthNet.
"Without a revenue source of source or funding authority from the General Assembly, we are unable to proceed with the expansion at this time," Missouri Governor Mike Parson said.
Posted By: Jason Rima May 13, 2021 @ 10:20 am Local News, News
File Photo
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has dropped plans to expand the state’s Medicaid program after the Legislature declined to provide money for a measure approved by voters.
The Republican governor said Thursday that his administration has withdrawn an expansion plan that had been submitted to federal officials.
Parson said he cannot proceed with it because the $35 billion budget approved by the Republican-led Legislature did not approve his funding proposal for the expansion.
The decision is likely to trigger a lawsuit from supporters of Medicaid expansion.
The decision is likely to trigger a lawsuit from supporters of Medicaid expansion
Credit: AP
FILE - In this Oct. 25, 2020 file photo, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson speaks during a campaign rally at a gun store in Lees Summit, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) Author: Associated Press Updated: 1:03 PM CDT May 13, 2021
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson dropped plans Thursday to expand the state s Medicaid health care program to thousands of low-income adults after the Republican-led Legislature refused to provide funding for the voter-approved measure.
The Republican governor said his administration had withdrawn a request to expand coverage that had been submitted to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in compliance with a constitutional amendment passed by voters last August.