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Missouri Medicaid Coalition Rallies at Missouri Capitol

Republicans in the Missouri Senate want to make sure the governor doesn't create a health care exchange without their consent.
KBIA/file photo
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KBIA
Republicans in the Missouri Senate want to make sure the governor doesn't create a health care exchange without their consent.

About 300 members of the Missouri Medicaid Coalition marched through the Capitol halls on Thursday, March 19, urging lawmakers to expand Medicaid eligibility for low-income adults.

Republican legislative leaders have said that expanding Medicaid is a nonstarter this year.

Democratic House members have used debate on next fiscal year's budget as an opportunity to criticize the GOP for blocking the measure, which could mean as much as $2 billion in additional federal money.

Republicans have cautioned that expanding the federal health care program might not have such a sweeping economic impact. They also say the current system is susceptible to fraud.

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