Democrats in the Missouri House have filed legislation to expand Medicaid to an additional 300,000 residents, even though Republicans are vowing not to take up the expansion call issued by Governor Jay Nixon before the start of this year’s legislative session. Jacob Hummel of St. Louis warns that not expanding Medicaid will result in loss of 5,000 jobs and threaten rural hospitals with closure. GOP House Speaker Tim Jones disagrees.
“I think it’s a little Polly-anish, I think it’s a little overreach, I think there are some scare tactics involved there,” Jones said.
House Republicans are working on an alternate proposal they say will transform Medicaid without expanding it in Missouri. One of the sponsors, GOP House Member Jay Barnes of Jefferson City, says details could be unveiled as early as next week.
