By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Senate's Budget Committee Wednesday passed 12 pieces of legislation that make up the state's budget for the next fiscal year.
The budget includes higher Medicaid reimbursements for nursing homes. It also showcases sharp differences of opinions on Medicaid spending between budget writers in the House and Senate.
The Senate committee rejected most of the cuts that the House made to the health care program for the poor, elderly, and disabled. The full Senate will now debate the spending plan.
The reimbursement increase for nursing homes will be worth about $16 million in the first year and possibly more in subsequent years.
The budget also includes pay raises for most state employees and $20 million dollars in higher education funding.