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Nixon Takes Medicaid Expansion Campaign To Mo. Senate Republicans

Marshall Griffin/St. Louis Public Radio

Press availability with Gov. Nixon (D) after his meeting with Senate Republican caucus.

Missouri SenateRepublicans were visited Tuesday by DemocraticGovernor Jay Nixon.

As he did last week with House Republicans, Nixon pitched his proposal to expand Medicaid to an additional 260,000Missouriansnext year.  He told reporters afterwards that it went well, and that much of the discussion focused on the alternate Medicaid package moving through theMissouri House.

“I did talk to them about that most probably being the opportunity here to get reforms this year," Nixon said.  "You’re seeing solid realization at how important it is to get this done, and to get it done this year.”

House Bill 700 would expand Medicaid to an additional 180,000Missourianswhile removing 44,000 children from the Medicaid rolls.  It would also let private insurers compete to cover Medicaid recipients and offer incentives for maintaining good health.  The St. Louis Beacon reports, though, thatthe plan faces strong opposition from some Republican Senators, includingPresident Pro-tem Tom Dempsey(R, St. Charles).

Governor Nixon called Tuesday's discussions with Senate Republicans open, respectful and solid.  Dempsey agreed, but says they remain opposed to expanding Medicaid.

“Right now, I just want to have the Governor’s comments, allow those to sink in, and then over the next five weeks we’ll continue to have discussions, both in caucus and potentially on the floor of the Senate,” Dempsey said.

In addition, Governor Nixon spoke by phone Tuesday toHealth and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebeliusabout the reforms being sought by House Republicans.  A statement released by the Governor’s office called the conversation “positive and productive,” but provided no indication if the Obama Administration would consider the alternate Medicaid proposal.  The statement reads in full:

“The Secretary and I had a positive and productive conversation this afternoon about strengthening and reforming Medicaid. It is clear that moving forward and strengthening Medicaid will give us the flexibility we need to give Missourians the health system they deserve: one that protects taxpayers, rewards work, promotes personal responsibility and brings the tax dollars they send to Washington back here to Missouri."

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter: @MarshallGReport

Copyright 2021 St. Louis Public Radio. To see more, visit St. Louis Public Radio.

Missouri Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a proud alumnus of the University of Mississippi (a.k.a., Ole Miss), and has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off the old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Mason, and their cat, Honey.
Marshall Griffin
St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.