Special session on tax crucial for Medicaid in doubt over Planned Parenthood amendment

On Tuesday, Republicans appeared to have reached a fragile consensus around extending a tax crucial to Missouri’s Medicaid finances — opening the door for Gov. Mike Parson to call lawmakers into special session next week.

By Friday afternoon, that consensus appears to have been derailed, at least temporarily, by disagreements over a proposed amendment that would prevent Planned Parenthood from being a Medicaid provider.

House Republicans were informed in a Friday conference call with the chamber’s leadership that the governor will not be issuing the call for a special session as originally expected, and that a continued stalemate could lead to drastic budget cuts when the new fiscal year begins July 1.

Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, confirmed Friday afternoon that he has informed Senators that a call is not imminent but that they should keep the next two weeks open.

Read more: https://missouriindependent.com/2021/06/18/special-session-on-tax-crucial-for-medicaid-in-doubt-over-planned-parenthood-amendment/