Lawmakers try to block Blunt's health care plan from starting

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A bipartisan House committee is seeking to block Gov. Matt Blunt's Insure Missouri program from taking effect as scheduled.

Blunt's plan would expand government-subsidized health insurance to thousands of low-income working parents. The Department of Social Services has filed an emergency rule that would start the program in mid-March.

But the House Special Committee on Healthcare Transformation has asked Secretary of State Robin Carnahan to reject the rule -- essentially blocking the program from starting. All eight members signed a letter sent to Carnahan on Wednesday.

The lawmakers claim there is no emergency justifying a quick start to the program.

A Carnahan spokesman says the rule is undergoing a normal review process.