The Missouri House will begin debate Tuesday on the 13 bills that make up next year’s state budget.
The three bills that encompass the state’s Medicaid program don’t include Governor Jay Nixon’s proposed expansion, although House Democrats may try to offer amendments to change that.
Budget chairman Rick Stream of St. Louis County says the state should have more of a say in how Medicaid dollars are handled.
“I would prefer to look for a solution that Missouri can come up with, and then implement that and then move forward with any type of expansion, under our plan,” says Stream. “Once we accept the federal plan, we lose all leverage – it’s over.”
The Republican majority in the House will likely reject any attempt to add Medicaid expansion to the state budget.
House Speaker Tim Jones says he expects to send all 13 budget bills to the Missouri Senate by Thursday.