Bill to Help Working Poor With Medical Expenses Introduced in House

A revision of the old Medicaid program that covered disabled Missourians who worked has been introduced in the House. Representative Charles Portwood of Ballwin sponsors legislation that would bring back a version of the Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities program, known as MAWD. Portwood says his bill addresses the aspects of the program that led to abuse. Portwood says his bill would restore Medicaid health-care benefits to 32-Hundred people. It would reward those who work most and eliminate benefits for those who only clock a few hours a month or those whose spouse has wealth. Portwood estimates his bill would cost the state only $8-Million a year.