The Missouri Department of Social Services will begin allowing people to apply for the MO HealthNet program after a Cole County Circuit Court ruling.
"My administration is always going to follow the law and yesterday's court order is no exception," Gov. Mike Parson said in a press release. "The necessary funding to cover the health care costs of the expanded population remains the issue. We will continue to work with the General Assembly and DSS to chart a path forward to comply with the court order and keep the MO HealthNet program solvent.
According to a press release from Parson's office, voters approved Medicaid expansion, the Supreme Court of Missouri held the expansion amendment to be constitutional and the trial court has ordered the state not to prohibit enrollment.
Additionally, the press release states that the expansion amendment also legally requires the state to maximize federal funding.
"We're thrilled with the court decision," said Sheldon Weisgrau, the vice president of Health Policy for the Missouri Foundation for Health.
Weisgrau said his group has worked with numerous resources and offices throughout the state over a decade to make the change happen.
"It's going to have a profound effect on the state," Weisgrau said.
He added that the process hasn't really started yet, and that's what's next to figure out.
"Their systems are not quite ready yet," Weisgrau said.
Decisions on eligibility probably will not happen until October.
The state is currently working through administrative hurdles, including adequate appropriations, staffing capacity and computer software changes in order to begin enrolling the expanded population, the press release said.
"I think it still remains to be seen how it's all going," Weisgrau said. "We're encouraged that everything seems to be moving forward but obviously we'd like to see it get started before October."