Judge blocks Medicaid expansion in Missouri

A Missouri judge blocked Medicaid expansion in the state on Wednesday, saying the ballot initiative that voters approved last year was unconstitutional.

The court action stems from Republican Gov. Mike Parson's decision last month not to expand Medicaid to roughly 275,000 low-income adults on July 1 because lawmakers did not appropriate funding. "The court concludes that the state's refusal to enroll plaintiffs and other eligible individuals in the MO HealthNet program is not unlawful," said Judge Jon Beetem of the Cole County Circuit Court, adding that funding was not the problem. "Notwithstanding a majority vote of the people, an initiative which does not comply with the limits of the constitution cannot stand."