If Missouri expands Medicaid health coverage for lower-income adults, could it create a crisis for public schools?
If Missouri fails to expand Medicaid, could it result in millions of Missourians' tax dollars going to health care in other states?
Both claims have been made at the Missouri Capitol by opponents and supporters of a proposed Medicaid expansion. But the claims might be exaggerated.
If Missouri rejects the Medicaid expansion, it would forgo federal money. But that money would not necessarily flow to other states for health care. The federal government could spend it on other programs or debt reduction.
If Missouri does expand Medicaid, it would not necessarily have to diminish school funding. Some revenue forecasts show the Medicaid expansion would have a minimal long-term effect on general state revenues.
