Medicaid Funding

With around 1.3 million Missourians currently enrolled in Medicaid, nonprofits across the state are sounding alarms, warning that proposed federal cuts could have devastating consequences for vulnerable residents who rely on the program for health care.

The Georgetown University Center for Children and Families has released an eye-opening analysis showing in rural Missouri, Medicaid, and CHIP are lifelines for residents, especially children, and local economies. It says proposed federal Medicaid cuts being debated in Congress could be devastating.

A huge number of Missourians are expected to lose their Medicaid benefits over the next year. Now that the public health emergency has officially ended, the Department of Social Services is reevaluating every individual who receives Medicaid for income eligibility. The process was put on hold during the pandemic when states weren't allowed to disenroll anyone.

The proposals come after attempts from some senators during a special session to deny Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood failed.

The Federal Reimbursement Allowance Tax on health care providers will continue funding the state’s portion of Medicaid. The House also passed a bill Wednesday defunding Planned Parenthood, but its future is unclear.

One of the groups supporting the lawsuit to follow through with Medicaid expansion is the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, which historically supports the GOP-controlled General Assembly's priorities.

The tax on health care providers is free of controversial amendments, but the same committee passed a separate bill that would defund Planned Parenthood.

Conservative legislators don’t want to renew a tax on health care providers unless they can get amendments they say are “pro-life” added.

The GOP chief executive stressed that there needed to be an agreement before he calls lawmakers back to Jefferson City to renew the tax that's critical in funding Missouri's Medicaid program.

The Missouri Supreme Court is expected to decide the fate of a constitutional amendment expanding Medicaid.