Missouri lawmakers are poised to give final approval to a state budget that could restore Medicaid benefits that were cut a decade ago.
The proposed 2015 budget would provide funding for adult dental care and physical rehabilitation items, such as specially fitted wheelchairs. Those benefits were halted by the Republican-led Legislature in 2005 as part of a larger package of Medicaid cuts.
The House and Senate are expected to vote Thursday on the proposed budget, a day ahead of a constitutional deadline to pass the spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
The budget plan also boosts funding for public school districts, colleges and universities.
But it does not go as far as Gov. Jay Nixon would have liked for either Medicaid expansion or school funding.