Initiative Petition Relating to Medicaid Expansion Approved for Circulation

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Oct. 16 -- Missouri Secretary of State Jay R. Ashcroft issued the following news release:

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft today announced an initiative petition relating to Medicaid expansion which met state standards for circulation.

The official ballot title for initiative petition 2018-275 reads:

Do you want to amend Missouri law to:

* expand benefits under the MO HealthNet Program to any person age 19 to 64, who is not otherwise eligible, but who qualifies for MO HealthNet services under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 ("Obamacare"), and who has income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level plus 5% of the applicable family size per federal regulation; and

* for the people covered under the expansion, require the reimbursement rate to MO HealthNet providers to be comparable to commercial reimbursement payment levels?

State government entities estimate additional costs in excess of $2 billion annually. Revenues from the federal government to offset these costs are estimates to be $1.8 billion annually, subject to changes in federal law. Local government entities expect no costs or savings.

The petition, which would amend Chapter 208 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, was submitted by Gerald Peterson, 5300 Ralston Ave., Raytown, MO 64133.

Before any statutory changes can be brought before Missouri voters in the November 2018 election, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to five (5) percent of the total votes cast in the 2016 governor's election from six of the state's eight congressional districts.

Signatures on behalf of all initiative petitions for the 2018 ballot are due to the secretary of state's office by no later than 5 p.m. on May 6, 2018.

Before circulating petitions, state law requires that groups must first have the form of their petition approved by the secretary of state and attorney general. The secretary of state then prepares a summary statement of no more than 100 words, and the state auditor prepares a fiscal impact statement, both of which are subject to the approval of the attorney general. When both statements are approved, they become the official ballot title.