By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – House Budget Chairman Carl Bearden says the changes are needed to rein in the growth of Medicaid and free up money for education.
He says the cuts would save the state an estimated $36 million each year. About 950,000 Missourians are covered by Medicaid.
The largest cuts would end benefits to adults who earn more than 50% of the federal poverty level - or roughly $7,600 for a family of three.
Some Democrats are calling the cuts shortsighted and mean-spirited. They say a mother of three who works full-time at
the minimum wage of $5.15 an hour would earn too much to qualify for Medicaid.