Lawsuit Over State’s Failure to Implement Medicaid Expansion Underway

A lawsuit over Missouri’s failure to expand Medicaid got underway yesterday. In August of last year, a constitutional amendment to expand the program was supported by 53% of Missouri voters. More than 275,000 Missourians would be eligible under expansion, which would have taken effect July 1, but lawmakers say they don’t have the funding to pay for it. Three women sued the Governor’s administration last month, to require the state to implement the expansion, arguing they need the health insurance program to get treatment for illnesses including asthma and diabetes. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office argues that the Governor cannot implement the expansion because lawmakers didn’t include the $1.9 billion estimated cost in the state budget.