Budget bills advance after Medicaid debate
JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri House wrapped up work on its version of the state budget late Wednesday after a heated debate over Medicaid.
As they have in the past, Republicans rebuffed Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon’s proposal to broaden the health care program to include about 34,000 additional low-income parents.
The vote was 87-70 against suspending a House rule so that the expansion could be considered.
Republicans said the state already has a generous program and taxpayers can’t afford to expand it.
Democrats said hospital taxes and federal funds would pay for the expansion, which would save money by focusing on preventive care.
While there was no meeting of the minds on Medicaid, GOP leaders did accept a number of amendments that reversed proposed budget cuts.
For example, at the urging of Rep. Rachel Storch, D-St. Louis, House Budget Chairman Allen Icet , R-Wildwood, agreed to restore $1.3 million for 45 state inspectors who check for violations at nursing homes, hospitals and child-care centers.
Other programs regaining funding included meals on wheels, child-care subsidies, alternatives to abortion, treatment services for abused children and a case management system for Medicaid patients.
The House is expected to take a final vote Thursday on the $22.8 billion spending plan. It then moves to Senate, which will rewrite it.
As ever, kudos to Rep Storch, one of the brighter lights in the Missouri legislature. My prayers are with her and the governor as they try to make the state’s health care system more rational and more civilized. Meanwhile, I will also keep Rep Icet in my prayers, that the Lord will open his eyes to see the sense of what Gov Nixon is trying to do for the least of God’s children in this state.