By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri House Thursday passed legislation restoring a Medicaid program for the working disabled. The Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities program was eliminated last year.
At the time, it was serving nearly 17,000 people at a cost of $250 million. Republicans said it had grown out of control.
On Thursday, the House voted to restart a smaller, more restrictive version of the program that will only serve less than 2,000 people.
The legislation also would restore or improve Medicaid coverage for about 1,300 sheltered workshop employees.
Those two changes are projected to cost about $20 million. The bill now goes to the Senate.