By Kelley Weiss
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-587738.mp3
Kansas City, MO – Missouri lawmakers are trying to pass a bill to overhaul the state's Medicaid system. It's a high priority of Governor Matt Blunt's to get it done but there is only a week left before the session ends. KCUR's Kelley Weiss reports.
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Time is running out for legislators to finalize the plan that will replace the state's health system next summer that covers more than 800,000 Missourians. Amy Blouin, of the Missouri Budget Project, says the plan could make it harder for more poor, disabled and elderly to access care as well as children.
Amy Blouin: "It does not restore coverage to the people who lost Medicaid. It does not provide really a concrete plan on how we're going to increase access to healthcare."
Blouin says some 100,000 people cut off the Medicaid rolls in 2005 will not regain coverage. She also says the program could prevent people from getting eye care, dental services and women's health care. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt's office did not return phone calls but in a written statement says the state supports the program that stresses prevention efforts and will give people more health care choices.
Funding for health care coverage on KCUR has been provided by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
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