Springfield News-Leader
JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri Senate passed a tax critical to funding the state's Medicaid program early Saturday morning after a bipartisan group overruled anti-abortion demands to pass the bill without language banning abortion providers from Medicaid funding.
A three-year renewal of the Federal Reimbursement Allowances, which taxes hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities to earn Missouri federal dollars, came after nearly nine hours of closed-door negotiations among Republicans and further floor debate. The tax's passage prevents a potential massive budget gap and closure of Medicaid facilities around the state.
The bill will now go to the Missouri House of Representatives, who will meet next week.