Medicaid Commission Takes Heat Over Lack of Meetings

A dispute over whether the Medicaid Reform Commission is holding enough public hearings has arisen as the Chairman attempts to move the Commission toward wrapping up its work. Democrats on the Medicaid Reform Commission criticize Chairman Charlie Shields for cancelling scheduled public hearings in Cape Girardeau and Springfield. Representative Margaret Donnelly of St. Louis says the decision shortchanges southern Missourians, especially rural residents. She says Democrats plan to travel to Kennett in southeast Missouri, Springfield and some city in northeast Missouri to take testimony. Shields, a Republican Senator from St. Joseph, says the Commission must stop holding hearings and start writing a report to be delivered to the Legislature. He’s not that concerned about the criticism. A Springfield meeting in August had to be cancelled when not enough members could make it. It wasn’t rescheduled. The meeting in Cape Girardeau had been scheduled for next week.