The clock will be ticking louder on Missouri’s Medicaid program during the next legislative session….and Senate leaders say time will not be allowed to run out. The state has more money than it has had recently leaving state lawmakers with the sometimes contentious job of agreeing on what to do with it. Some want people cut from the medicaid program in 2005 put back on the rolls. But there might not be any rolls to be put back onto on July first, 2008. The legisalture says medicaid will disapear by then if a new, better system is not in place. Senator Michael Gibbons of Kirkwood set that date. He says it gives the legislature enough backbone to get the job done without delay. He says everybody knows the state can have a better, more affordable, program for vulnerable people. He says this is the critical year to get the job done. Gibbons says a system needs to be developed that will let people have more say about their healthcare decisions. He says a comprehensive healthcare reform bill will be driven by efforts on medicaid reform. Minority Democrats agree 2007 will be a critical year for healthcare and Medicaid reform. They’re waiting to see what majority Republicans offer before taking a stance.
Election Results Still Trickling In
Missourians cast their votes and it’s… unofficial. The final tallies for Tuesday’s election are still trickling in. Spokesman Stacie Temple with the Secretary of State’s office says the state is still waiting on numbers from precincts in St. Louis County, Kansas City and Jefferson County. Spokesman Stacie Temple says the unexpectedly high voter turnout bogged down the returns. She says Jefferson County is still hand-counting its votes after precincts had to photocopy ballots to keep up with voter demand. She says St. Louis and Kansas City haven’t given an official explanation for delays from their precincts. November 1st is the final deadline for precints to send totals to the Secretary of State’s Office.
MODOT Maps out State Highways for 2007 and 2008
They first printed them in 1924… and now they are printing them for just four cents more. At a cost of 19 cents a piece, The State Department of Transportation presents its 2007-2008 highway map for motorists and travelers. Director Pete Rahn says the maps are an important tool to help people navigate Missouri’s 32,000 miles of roads. The new map is 12% larger than previous maps. Rahn calls the maps “arguably the most popular publication from the state.” The maps are available to the public for free.
Bud Black New Man In San Diego
Former Royals pitcher Bud Black has been named the new manager for the San Diego Padres. The new gig is the first managerial job in Black’s career who was most recently the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitching coach.
Black was on the Angels staff during their 2002 World Series year. As a player, Black pitched for 15 years in the Majors. He was a member of the Royals pitching staff that won the World Series in 1985.
Herm Could Have Tough Decision To Make
It looks like Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards is getting closer to having to make a really tough decision. With backup quarterback Damon Huard playing so well and producing victories, the return of Trent Green creates a quarterback controversy in Kansas City.
Green is not quite all the way back, but he is listed as questionable for this week’s game in Miami. Being listed questionable technically means Green has a 50/50 chance of playing in the game and he is listed as the third quarterback. The fact that he has not been cleared for contact obviously means he will not play. But what happens when Green is cleared for contact drills and game action? Does Edwards go back to Green who is a perennial Pro Bowler? Or does Edwards stick with the backup who had not played since 2000 but has the team rolling?
That question will most likely have to be answered in the coming weeks. The Chiefs season could hang in the balance of the decision made.
