JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri House panel has once again rejected Gov. Jay Nixon’s call to expand Medicaid for about 300,000 people.
The House health and social services funding panel voted 11-4 Monday to defeat two attempts to insert the money into the next state budget that begins in July.
In his budget proposal last month, Nixon had asked lawmakers to include $1.7 billion in federal funds to enlarge the program. The Democratic governor’s administration estimates that adding the federal money would save Missouri $53 million in state funds for the upcoming fiscal year.
Republicans have repeatedly rejected the expansion, and panel members argued Monday for making changes to the current program before expanding eligibility.
The panel’s recommendations now head to the House Budget Committee for further consideration.
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