Special to St. Louis Public Radio
Missouri lawmakers toss paper into the air to commemorate the end of the 2021 legislative session.
The last day of the Missouri General Assembly’s legislative session ended with a thud when the Senate adjourned without approving a must-pass bill that helps fund the state’s Medicaid system.
It was an anticlimatic end to a legislative session that failed to fund voter-approved Medicaid expansion but featured passage of long-sought legislation that could have a big impact on the state’s roads, police, children and opioid abuse issues.
When lawmakers returned to session on Friday morning, the biggest unfinished item was the passage of the Federal Reimbursement Allowance a tax on medical providers like hospitals that helps pay for the state’s Medicaid program. Typically, the so-called FRA passes without much opposition. But some senators wanted to attach items to it that would bar Medicaid from paying for certain contraceptives and prevent
The Missouri General Assembly concludes its work today on many legislative issues impacting Missourians.
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is encouraging the Missouri legislature to adopt strict language – in legislation regarding the Federal Reimbursement Allowance (FRA) – to ensure FRA monies would not be used to fund the killing of innocent human life.
The FRA program assesses hospitals in Missouri a fee for the privilege of doing business in the state. The assessment is a general revenue equivalent, and when used to make valid Medicaid payments, earns federal Medicaid matching funds.
Secretary Ashcroft went on to say that he feels tht abortion is wrong for Missouri and he will defend life at all cost and would encourage the legislature to do the same by restricting FRA monies.
The Missouri State Capitol building located in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Passage of a tax credit for donors of educational scholarships could open the door to other bills making it across the legislative finish line.
The Missouri General Assembly will move into its final week of regular session Monday with scores of key priorities left unpassed, leaving lots of uncertainty about what will end up making it to Gov. Mike Parson’s desk.
But the passage of key education-related legislation last week could open up the floodgates for other priorities to pass.
When legislators gavel into session on Monday they’ll have a 6 p.m. Friday deadline to complete their work. Some of the key issues still to be decided include: