Current:Home > StocksMissouri lawmakers renew crucial $4B Medicaid tax program -GrowthInsight
Missouri lawmakers renew crucial $4B Medicaid tax program
View
Date:2025-04-11 17:54:54
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s GOP-led Legislature on Wednesday renewed a more than $4 billion Medicaid program that had been blocked for months by a Republican faction that used it as a bargaining tool.
The bill which now heads to Gov. Mike Parson will renew a longstanding tax on hospitals and other medical providers.
Money from the tax is used to draw down $2.9 billion in federal funding, which is then given back to providers to care for low-income residents on Medicaid health care.
Because the tax is crucial to the state’s budget, the Senate’s Freedom Caucus had been leveraging the bill to pressure Republican leaders to pass a bill kicking Planned Parenthood off the state’s Medicaid program, which the Legislature did last month.
Later, the Freedom Caucus also demanded that the Legislature pass a measure to raise the threshold for amending the state constitution. Currently, amendments need support from 51% of voters stateswide.
If approved by voters, the Republican proposal would make it so constitutional amendments also need support from 51% of voters in a majority of congressional districts.
Senate Freedom Caucus members allowed a final Senate vote of approval on the Medicaid tax last week, even though the constitutional amendment change still has not passed the Legislature.
The House took the hospital tax renewal up Wednesday, voting 136-16 to send the measure to Parson.
Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade on Wednesday told colleagues on the chamber floor that the tax is essential “to function as a government” and “provide the most basic services.”
“This shouldn’t be used as a hostage in a terrorist negotiation,” Quade said.
Republican Rep. Tony Lovasco argued that Missouri’s reliance on the tax, and on federal Medicaid funding, hurts the state.
“The fact that we are yet again leaning on the federal government and their manufactured, printed money in order to get by in Missouri is just not a positive,” Lovasco said on the House floor.
Parson is expected to sign the bill.
veryGood! (45825)
Related
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Ex-Minneapolis officer faces sentencing on a state charge for his role in George Floyd’s killing
- U.S. eliminated from Women's World Cup in heartbreaking loss to Sweden
- Democrats see Michigan and Minnesota as guides for what to do with majority power
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Queen Latifah, Chuck D and more rap legends on ‘Rapper’s Delight’ and their early hip-hop influences
- Police search for Maryland teacher who disappeared after going on a walk
- 'Down goes Anderson!' Jose Ramirez explains what happened during Guardians-White Sox fight
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- Coco Gauff defeats Maria Sakkari in DC Open final for her fourth WTA singles title
Ranking
- What to watch: O Jolie night
- Photos give rare glimpse of history: They fled the Nazis and found safety in Shanghai
- In Youngstown, a Downtown Tire Pyrolysis Plant Is Called ‘Recipe for Disaster’
- What is the healthiest alcohol? It's tricky. Here are some low-calorie options to try.
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Horoscopes Today, August 6, 2023
- James McBride's 'Heaven & Earth Grocery Store' and more must-read new book releases
- Bachelor Nation's Kaitlyn Bristowe Taking Social Media Break After Jason Tartick Split
Recommendation
Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
Bachelor Nation's Kaitlyn Bristowe and Jason Tartick Break Up After 4 Years Together
That's Billionaire 'Barbie' to you: The biggest movie of summer hits $1B at box office
Woman found dead on Phoenix-area hike, authorities say it may be heat related
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Ne-Yo Apologizes for Insensitive and Offensive Comments on Gender Identity
Russia blasts Saudi Arabia talks on ending war in Ukraine after Moscow gets no invitation to attend
Fort Lauderdale airport temporarily evacuated over security investigation