Missouri bishops oppose move to cut state Medicaid coverage

Published: 2005-01-05

ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- The Missouri Catholic Conference is opposing a revived effort in the Missouri House of Representatives to cut Medicaid health coverage for the poor. And the director of a church-based social service agency in St. Charles is asking legislators to make no decision before getting input from those helping the "working poor," low-wage workers who need health coverage and likely will be included in proposed cuts. During his campaign, incoming Gov. Matt Blunt said he preferred to make Medicaid more efficient rather than to cut eligibility. Recently a spokesman for Blunt said he could not rule out the possibility of a reduction in coverage. In addition, some House members have stated that eligibility likely will be addressed. The Catholic conference, in communication with its legislative network, said it supports efforts to "ensure that only those truly eligible for Medicaid receive coverage. But that should be done by targeting abusers, not by denying Medicaid coverage to honest, poor families who lack sufficient income to provide for their own health care."

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