Supporters and opponents spent several hours Monday testifying on an alternate Medicaid proposal being floated by House Republicans.
The bill would expand Medicaid coverage to an additional 180,000 Missourians while removing about 44,000 children from the Medicaid rolls.
Several groups that have backed Democratic Governor Jay Nixon’s call to expand Medicaid to 259,000 Missourians next year also testified in favor of the House GOP alternative. Lobbyist Brent Hemphill represents the Missouri Ambulance Association.
“Our organization represents most of the ambulance providers, predominantly ambulance districts,” Hemphill said. “We don’t necessarily agree with everything in the bill, but we think it’s a good start and we need to continue to move this forward.”
Opponents continued to voice support for expanding Medicaid eligibility to 138% of the federal poverty level, instead of 100% as the GOP bill would do.
Michelle Trupiano of Planned Parenthood testified against the bill. She says it contains a provision that would eliminate the Uninsured Women’s Health Program.
“It’s a 90-10 match through the federal government, and it provides life-saving cancer screenings, annual exams, and birth control services,” Trupiano said. “To take away these services that they currently have access to, I think, will be detrimental.”
A committee vote on the measure is expected next week.
