A Cole County Circuit Court judge has set a date for the first hearing in a lawsuit challenging Missouri's failure to implement Medicaid expansion. On Wednesday, Judge Jon Beetem scheduled the hearing for June 18.
The plaintiffs in the case are three Missouri residents who would qualify for Medicaid under the expanded eligibility voters approved last August. The lawsuit aims to force the state department of social services, which administers Medicaid programs in Missouri, to provide care for the expansion population.
Governor Mike Parson announced earlier this month the state would not provide that care, despite language in the state constitution requiring it. That language stipulates the estimated 250 thousand Missourians in the expansion population will be eligible starting July 1.
In an interview, Lowell Pearson — one of the lawyers representing the plaintiffs — said he hoped the judge would provide a temporary order to allow them to receive Medicaid coverage throughout the expected appeals process.
