I've been seeing people on here complaining about the state health insurance. This is what has been happening in Missouri.

The previous Governor for Missouri had cut the income requirements to people that make 20% of the federal poverty level - $4,410 a year for a family of four. That was a sad day when that happened to our state. So many children and disabled people lost their health insurance.

A family of 4 making $4,410 per year!!

Our Governor has a new proposal on the table. Under this proposal,
the parents in a family of four who earn 50% of federal poverty level, or about $11,025 would be eligible for coverage.

This is more about it:

Gov. Jay Nixon on Monday proposed expanding Medicaid coverage to 34,800 lower-income Missourians through a tax on hospitals.

"We can't get this economy moving until we get the cost of health insurance under control," Nixon said at the press conference.

Hospitals pay a 5.25 percent tax that helps the state draw more federal funds. That rate is expected to go to 5.4 percent next year. Missouri's 152 hospitals would contribute $52.5 million, allowing the state to receive $93 million in federal matching funds.

"Every day, just as you do, we see the consequences of people who have no health insurance. … They seek care only when it becomes unbearable," said Marc Smith, president of the Missouri Hospital Association. "Not only is this about compassion, it's the right thing to do on behalf of the economy of the state of Missouri."

While Nixon portrayed his plan as new, it actually had only one new feature: Hospitals would chip in $15.5 million more than they had proposed in Nixon's January budget.

In other words, the Missouri Hospital Association had already agreed to put $37 million toward coverage for low-income parents. The money comes from state and federal funds that hospitals receive for caring for the uninsured.

Hospitals "are going to be better off" because people with insurance could get preventive care, said Nixon's budget director, Linda Luebbering. "They're not going to show up in the emergency rooms uninsured."

Because doctors and hospitals would be better compensated, the plan could create or retain 1,300 jobs in the state, according to Washington University health care economist Timothy McBride, who advised Nixon's gubernatorial campaign on health care.

But House Budget Committee Chairman Allen Icet said there was no guarantee that hospitals would contribute the money long term. In that case, he said, Missouri would be "back to the same scenario" where Medicaid's growth outpaces the growth in state revenue.

Conservative budgeting and Medicaid cutbacks in 2005 helped Missouri avoid the painful cuts that other states are facing now, Icet said.

"The pain would've doubled had Republicans not done what we did," Icet said.

Nixon said he hoped legislators would agree to expand the eligibility rules because there is no cost to taxpayers or the state.

"I think this is as good a deal as you can do in these trying times," Nixon said.

Still, Nixon's plan wasn't making headway in the Republican-led House.

Icet, who sponsors budget bills, said that, philosophically, he opposes having taxpayers cover more low-income parents, whom he called "able-bodied adults."

"It's the never-ending clarion call to put people on the state's welfare system," said Icet, R-Wildwood. "Other states are actually cutting people on their Medicaid" programs.

two questions.

1. can you tell us from where you retrieved this column, please?

2. does the $4410 per year represent a figure that is gross family income or federal tax liability figure, ie, after deductions? there are deductions that families make on their tax return forms. $4410/year is a deploreably low figure, no doubt but I just wonder if that's pre- or post-deduction

I got an idea, since low income people are why everyone is so upset, why don't we just do absolutely nothing, nothing at all for them. And let's just see what happens. The whiners will stop whining about them and the low income folks will just be out of sight out of mind.

Or will they be? Hmmmm.

What a compassionate country we are.... Makes me so proud....

I couldn't live on $5000 a yr, let alone support a wife and 2 kids.

Where are the tax dollars going???
Some states act as if they cut programs for the poor, the poor go away, problem is they don't
More and more I am thinking Single Payer for healthcare.

I'm not sure what you're talking about.. the article you refered me to said they were trying to put through legislation that would raise that to ~$11k/a.. still a low number..

but again, I want to know if that's a post deduction federal liability or actual gross income.

I couldn't live on $5000 a yr, let alone support a wife and 2 kids.

This is indicative of how spoiled Americans are. How much does Obama's half-brother make/live on in a year again in Kenya? Twelve dollars.

Michiganman,

You probably would be homeless. Then you don't have an address to receive the Medicaid. That's what happened here.

Considering there are programs that address the homeless issue (low income housing, HUD, LIHEAP, and low income phone service) I don't see how one can feasibly say they're going to be homeless on $5000 a year.

On a case by case basis, circumstances warranting, HUD will actually pay a tenant's rent in full.

There is no excuse for being homeless. Those who are, chose to be.

It is all about immorality to me. All these "good" programs are using forcefully acquired funds.

This is immoral, and nothing good can come out of it.

All these programs should be run on a basis of voluntary association.

As it is right now? What does it matter "how much"? Does it matter "how much" were you held-up for and for what reason?

Theft is theft and robbery is a robbery.

Great call there nogames!

Section 8/HUD has over a year waiting list in my city. So, yes, people can be homeless and not by choice.