Medicaid expansion dies in 2014 legislature

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The prospects of expanding Medicaid in Missouri appear dead in the final week of the legislative session.

On Wednesday, Sen. Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City, briefly introduced his Medicaid expansion and reform bill on the Senate floor, but quickly withdrew it citing concerns about a Republican filibuster.

This means Missouri could lose out on $1.8 billion in federal funds this year to expand Medicaid to some 300,000 low-income Missourians making up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, or just over $32,000 for a family of four.

“It is dead and it has been dead the entire session,” said Sen. John Lamping, R-Ladue. “Lobbyists have tried to create perception of positive movement when there was none other than Silvey.”

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