State of Missouri is Withdrawing Plans for Voter Approved Medicaid Expansion

Missouri Governor Mike Parson is withdrawing plans for Medicaid expansion.

In a news release this morning (Thursday) from the Governor’s office the Missouri Department of Social Services submitted a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services to formally withdraw plans.

These developments come after voters approved a constitutional amendment expanding MO HealthNet eligibility to people between 100 and 138% of the Federal Poverty Line.

Parson’s office said the ballot initiative appropriated funds without creating a source of revenue, which is prohibited under the Missouri Constitution.

Earlier this month, the General Assembly finalized Missouri fiscal year 2022 budget without funding for MO Healthnet expansion.

Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade said Parson was breaking his promise to Missourians and violating his oath to uphold the constitution.

The Department of Social Services estimated the expansion would cost 1.9 billion dollars in fiscal year 2022.