Medicaid Proposal Sparks Heated Exchange in Senate

Two Republicans dueled over Medicaid this morning, as the Senate's foremost opponent of expansion accused another senator of taking the "easy" route in rolling out a plan that would increase coverage.

Sen. Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City, has a proposal that would provide insurance for adults earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line but would also make extensive changes to assistance programs for the poor. His proposal follows a News-Leader op-ed last week where he said Republicans must offer more than just a "no" vote on Medicaid expansion.

On the floor, Sen. John Lamping, R-St. Louis County, said Republican lines such as "pragmatism" and "problem-solving" operate as code words that allow conservatives to support policies that lead to more government and more debt.

Read the full story here: http://sgfnow.co/1mELt6O

Source: Springfield Newsleader