Missouri Medicaid rolls grow in pandemic

JEFFERSON CITY – The number of people on Medicaid in Missouri has jumped by nearly 100,000 people since the pandemic hit the United States.

Although some of the growth is likely due to the economic fallout of shutting down the economy to slow the spread of COVID-19, a federal relief package providing more money to states for Medicaid costs also is a factor.

In March, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that allowed states to draw down extra cash for the public health insurance program for low-income people.

To be eligible, states were barred from altering eligibility rules and from raising premiums. They also aren't allowed to terminate coverage for those already enrolled in the program.

Read more: https://www.examiner.net/story/news/2020/09/01/missouri-medicaid-rolls-grow-sharply-covid-19-pandemic/5681311002/
(Independence Examiner)