Medicaid Expansion Lawsuit Filed

Three women are suing Missouri for defunding Medicaid expansion. Although voters approved allowing another 275-thousand low-income Missourians to access Medicaid coverage on July 1, the Republican-controlled Legislature refused to fund it. The lawsuit wants the state Department of Social Services to allow the plaintiffs to enroll and receive the same coverage as Missourians currently enrolled in the program. Attorney Chuck Hatfield says his clients have serious health problems, including asthma, tonsil stones, type one diabetes, thyroid disease, and a severe skin condition.

Anti-expansion supporters say the ballot measure did not include a funding source, making the measure unconstitutional.