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03.26.2008 9:16 pm

Donnelly ekes out small Medicaid victory

The House wrapped up its work on the state budget tonight with a debate on whether to restore the 2005 cuts Republicans made in health care for the poor.

While Democrats tried several times to reinstate some of the coverage and services, only one attempt succeeded.

That amendment — by Rep. Margaret Donnelly, D-Richmond Heights — allotted $2.2 million for occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy for adults. The funding comes on top of about $370,000 Donnelly secured in the House Budget Committee.

Without the funding, “some physicians don’t even do knee replacements because, if you don’t have physical therapy, it won’t work effectively,” Donnelly said.

On a 79-73 vote, colleagues agreed to take the money from Medicaid hospital payments.

Donnelly, one of the most knowledgeable Democrats on the Medicaid issue, is serving her last session in the House. A lawyer, she is running for attorney general.

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13 comments

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Can anyone answer my question? Buehler? Buehler?

How much of the state budget would be appropriate? We currently spend a quarter on Medicaid/Healthnet and about 40-45% on “Human Services.”

— Amazedbythelunacy
2:23 pm March 27th, 2008

Dear Nick: A small nougat = a mere morsel

— gaydem
2:30 pm March 27th, 2008

It is obvious what is going on here. There is no way that this wasn’t purposefully allowed by the Republicans. The Democrats have tried these 5 to 10 of these amendments every year. Every year they lose by just a few votes. So they let Margaret Donnelly win one. A few million dollars is a small price to pay to help Mike Gibbons win the attorney general’s race. I bet she has her most successful year ever. Watch.

Democrats can decide if they want to nominate a St. Louis liberal who can never win or a moderate like Chris Koster that will beat Mike Gibbons.

— Jennifer Ryan
8:26 pm March 27th, 2008

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