• Home
  • News
    • Business
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Legislature
    • Politics / Govt
  • Sports
    • The Bill Pollock Show
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Missourinet

Your source for Missouri News and Sports

You are here: Home / Health / Medicine / Nixon highlights business community support for Medicaid Expansion in State of the State

Nixon highlights business community support for Medicaid Expansion in State of the State

January 29, 2013 By Mike Lear

Governor Jay Nixon has taken his case for Medicaid expansion to the GOP leadership in the legislature by highlighting support from business organizations.

Governor Jay Nixon delivers the 2013 State of the State address.  (Photo courtesy; UPI/Bill Greenblatt)

Governor Jay Nixon delivers the 2013 State of the State address. (Photo courtesy; UPI/Bill Greenblatt)

Nixon welcomed several of them during the State of the State Address.

“The Missouri Chamber of Commerce supports the Medicaid expansion, not because they’re big supporters of this president and his agenda but because it’s the smart thing to do.”

Nixon listed supporters including the chambers of commerce in Kansas City, Independence, Springfield, Lee’s Summit and St. Louis, the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, Kirksville Regional Economic Development, Inc. and Associated Industries of Missouri.

Nixon urged lawmakers to put the politics of healthcare aside, which drew laughter from the Republican side of the chamber.

In a pre-Address question-and-answer session with the media, Nixon says convincing Republican leadership is an ongoing education process that he thinks is making progress.

“We see a continuing, growing coalition of folks that understand that this is a right business decision to make. Missouri is paying $1.8 billion in taxes. Sending those to Washington and then standing here quietly and allowing those dollars to be spent in other states is not a good business decision.”

Republicans say one reason not to expand Medicaid is a lack of faith that Congress will keep its funding promises, that would make expansion cost-free to Missouri for three years. Nixon suggests including a provision to roll back expansion in that case.

House Speaker Tim Jones is skeptical.

“I’ve never seen a government program that’s increased go back the other way … it’s an entitlement, and entitlements are extremely difficult to ratchet back.”

Nixon’s budget proposal would use $46 million federal dollars from Medicaid expansion. He says proceeding with expansion would bring $5.7 billion to the state over the next three years and create 24,000 jobs in 2014.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Health / Medicine, News Tagged With: GOP, Governor Jay Nixon, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, State of the State, Tim Jones

Subscribe to our daily newsletter


Tweets by Missourinet

Sports

Cardinals and Royals will have fans at The K and Busch Stadium this season.

After … [Read More...]

Mizzou falls to Alabama in SEC Tournament

Mizzou … [Read More...]

Girl hurt in crash with ex-Chiefs Coach “likely has permanent brain damage”

A girl … [Read More...]

Dru Smith’s after late layup secures Mizzou’s first win at Florida “It meant a lot to us.”

Dru … [Read More...]

Crunch time for Mizzou hoops. Eli the best at selling Tigers football (PODCAST)

Thanks for … [Read More...]

More Sports

Tweets by missourisports

Archives

Opinion/Editorials

TwitterFacebook

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC