Missouri Takes Another Step Towards Expanding Medicaid To Low-Income Mothers And Their Babies

(MISSOURINET) – Missouri has taken another step towards expanding Medicaid healthcare coverage to the state’s low-income mothers and their babies. The Missouri House has passed a bipartisan plan that would provide full coverage to women while pregnant and for one year after the end of pregnancy, instead of the current 60 days post-pregnancy. State Representative Melanie Stinnett, a Republican from Springfield, carried the bills in the House.

Several changes were added, including one that would prevent immediate loss of government benefits, like food stamps, when participants get a pay raise or consider a job promotion. It would instead reduce those benefits proportionate to any income increases. The House and Senate plan to negotiate their differences on the bills.