Medicaid expansion

The Kansas City Democrat also discussed the impending rollout of Medicaid expansion in Missouri — and an upcoming special session on redistricting.

Parson points to an uptick in vaccinations since the delta variant began to spread in southwest Missouri. But the GOP chief executive says there will be a percentage of Missourians who will not get the vaccine against COVID-19.

The Springfield Republican also talked about how the legislature would move forward after a landmark Supreme Court decision on Medicaid expansion.

Last week's Missouri Supreme Court decision means that thousands of people who work but don't make enough money to afford health insurance could access medical care more often — and in different ways.

The unanimous decision means low-income Missourians eligible via a 2020 ballot initiative can sign up for the health care program, even though the legislature didn’t fund it.

The state Supreme Court will decide whether a 2020 ballot item expanding Medicaid goes into effect — or is invalidated without legislative action.

Missouri Supreme Court judges will decide whether roughly 275,000 people will gain access to the health care program.

One of the groups supporting the lawsuit to follow through with Medicaid expansion is the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, which historically supports the GOP-controlled General Assembly's priorities.

Attorneys for three women trying to sign up for the health care program say they will appeal Cole County Judge Jon Beetem's ruling.

Gov. Parson was expected to make a call by Friday for a special session next week, but that plan was abandoned.