Article submitted by Missouri State Representative Josh Hurlbert

Missouri continued our commitment to K-12 education by again fully funding the foundation formula, increasing our investment in K-12 education by $800 million from two years ago. School transportation costs were also increased by $2.5 million. Higher education and workforce development programs also saw a $300 million increase from two years ago. State employees will receive a 2% across the board pay increase - improving our below average standing compared to other states - while adding even more additional pay for correctional officers, where turnover has been a noteworthy issue.

*Josh Hurlbert represents District 12 in the Missouri House of Representatives*

After a raucous debate, the House ultimately decided to not fund Medicaid expansion, which would expand those eligible for Medicaid to working adults up to 138% of the federal poverty limit. This proposal stems from the Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010 under President Obama. That legislation provides subsidies to purchase health insurance plans off a state exchange down to 138% of the poverty limit and entices states to expand Medicaid to that mark by increasing the federal portion of the payments to 90% from 65%. Recent recovery bills passed on the federal level have added additional dollars up front to help fund the cost of expansion.

In a low-turnout election last August, 16% of registered voters in Missouri voted yes and passed a constitutional amendment that expanded Medicaid. However, per the state constitution only measures that include a new revenue stream, which this did not, can guarantee being paid for without the legislature needing to separately appropriate funding out of General Revenue.

The House Budget Committee vetted the Governor’s proposed budget, which included paying for Medicaid expansion. After seeing the experiences of other states that have expanded Medicaid and seen enrollment double projections and costs skyrocket out of control, the committee voted against expanding Medicaid. Medicaid is already 35% of the state's budget and - even without expansion - is seeing an 11% increase in cost over last year’s budget.

Expanding it would kick ⅔ of new enrollees off the private insurance they currently have. Expansion does not expand eligibility for children or seniors and Missouri’s blind and disabled populations can only participate in the program at 85% or less of the federal poverty level. Why should the state be better at providing health insurance for working adults than the disabled? The 12th District, which I am humbled to represent, voted against expanding Medicaid. Without some serious transformation of the program, I cannot see a way for it to be fiscally responsible for the State of Missouri so I supported my constituents and voted against expansion on the House floor.

May we never forget that this your money - not the state’s, not the federal government’s - but yours, the taxpayer.