By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Missouri House lawmakers passed legislation Wednesday night designed to slow the growth of Medicaid.
The Republican-backed plan would do that by cutting off health care for several thousand Missourians.
One aspect of the plan makes it harder to qualify for the state's health care program for children, called CHIPS.
That could mean 880 children lose their health coverage.
Supporters say it's a way to save money; but it also makes sure only the most needy get Medicaid.
The plan would also impose new co-payments on those in Medicaid each time they visit the doctor.
It now goes to the Senate.