Missouri lawmakers have sent Gov. Jay Nixon a measure to change how medical expenses are handled in court.
House members voted 95-57 to pass a bill that would allow only the actual costs and not the value of medical expenses to be considered as evidence in civil lawsuits.
Republican House handler Rep. Joe Don McGaugh says that covers only the amount charged by hospitals or other health care providers.
McGaugh says plaintiffs now can get money for what's considered the value of medical treatment, which can be higher than what the patient and insurance company pay out of pocket.
Opponents in the House argued the bill will unfairly mean that victims could receive less money in court, in particular for those with insurance.
