Missouri House endorses higher caps for some to get Medicaid

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A proposal that would expand Missouri's Medicaid rolls by increasing the amount of assets elderly and disabled people can have and still qualify for the program is heading back to the Missouri Senate.

The Missouri House on Wednesday voted 136-8 for a measure that would increase the limit set in 1968. The current limits are $1,000 for a single person and $2,000 for a married couple.

The measure would gradually increase the limits to $5,000 and $10,000, respectively, in 2020. After that, the limits would increase with inflation.

Republican Rep. Kevin Engler, of Farmington, says the change is needed to allow people on the program to provide more for themselves.

Legislative researchers estimate the measure would cost $42 million and add nearly 10,000 people to Medicaid.