Staff Contact: Daniel Landon or Brian Kinkade
A press release issued by Gov. Parson’s office today provides some insight into the administration’s response to the final order on the Medicaid expansion litigation handed down yesterday. Parson said, “My administration is always going to follow the law, and yesterday’s court order is no exception.” The court’s order directs the state to begin enrollment of Medicaid-eligible expansion adults immediately and prohibits the state from imposing additional burdens or restrictions on individuals who might qualify for coverage. The administration’s statement identifies specific challenges the agencies implementing the expansion face, including staffing, computer system modifications and appropriations, and states it could take 60 days to address these issues. The statement affirms that individuals may apply for Medicaid expansion coverage through MyDSS.mo.gov. Although determination of eligibility may be delayed, if approved, coverage is retrospective to the date of application.