By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Gov. Matt Blunt this morning (Monday) signed legislation into law that overhauls Missouri's Medicaid health care program for the poor.
The governor is promoting the changes at bill signing ceremonies in several cities, including St. Louis.
The legislation places a greater emphasis on healthy living for the 825,000 people on Medicaid. Eventually, all participants would have to enroll in one of several health plans with varying levels of coordinated care.
The bill also restores coverage to some, but not most, of the hundreds of thousands of people cut from the program two years ago. Much of the criticism for the plan has been focused on that aspect.