Throughout the 2015 legislative session, a large, diverse group of stakeholders have urged the legislature to have a debate on Medicaid expansion. On Wednesday, March 31, the Missouri Senate took the first step and actually debated Medicaid expansion.
In the morning, Senator Tom Dempsey’s (R-St Charles) SB 323 led to a debate between Senator Ryan Silvey (R-Kansas City) and Senator Rob Schaaf (R-St Joseph) on Medicaid expansion. Dempsey’s bill would expand eligibility for Missourians with disabilities to apply and access healthcare coverage under Missouri’s Medicaid program, MO Healthnet.
The key takeaway from this debate:
Some Missouri legislators do not understand the math behind Medicaid expansion. That lack of rationality and common sense exacerbates the suffering of constituents and Missouri communities.
Schaaf: You can’t afford it, Senator. Not only that, but it would be wrong to do it.
Silvey: Senator, the only reason I can’t afford it, is because you don’t believe in math. I have the numbers, I have shown them to you. I have numbers in black and white, you refuse to believe the fiscal note on this bill but you want to believe the fiscal note on your own bill. I cannot get you to be consistent on what numbers mean what. So, no, Senator, I can probably never satisfy you on this issue and I’m cool with that. I get it, I can’t get inside your head, that’s fine.