A dayslong filibuster in the Missouri Senate recently ended after a Republican faction allowed a vote on a more than $4 billion Medicaid program they had been holding hostage. Senators gave initial approval to a bill that will renew a tax on hospitals and other medical providers to draw down $2.9 billion in federal funding for Medicaid health care. The Freedom Caucus, a GOP faction, had been using the hospital tax to pressure Senate Republican leaders into passing various bills, including one to defund Planned Parenthood from the state’s Medicaid program. The measure still needs a second vote of approval in the Senate, but it is expected to pass and be signed by Governor Mike Parson.
The Freedom Caucus had been stalling Senate proceedings by reading books about former President Ronald Reagan and going through the proposed state budget line by line. They were able to force negotiations on multiple bills, including one to pass a proposed constitutional amendment to raise the bar for passing future amendments. Republican lawmakers have stated that raising the bar for amending the constitution is a top priority, as it could potentially make it harder for voters to pass a pending abortion rights amendment this fall. After negotiations with Senate Democrats, the proposal to raise the vote threshold for amending the constitution is expected to be debated on May 6.
Both the Freedom Caucus and Republican Senate leaders are claiming victory in the extended standoff. The Freedom Caucus formed a coalition with 18 senators – enough to force a vote without support from Democrats – in support of passing the constitutional amendment. On the other hand, Senate Republicans view the advancement of the hospital tax as a defeat for the Freedom Caucus. Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin stated that the majority of the majority party stuck together to fulfill their duty to govern in the state. This contentious filibuster marks the longest in Missouri Senate history since 2016, when Democrats filibustered over proposed protections for those who deny services based on their faith.
The Medicaid program in Missouri, funded by a tax on hospitals and other medical providers, is crucial for providing care to low-income residents. The $2.9 billion in federal funding drawn from this tax is used to support healthcare providers in caring for Medicaid enrollees. The Freedom Caucus used their leverage on the hospital tax to push for the passage of bills such as defunding Planned Parenthood from the state’s Medicaid program. Governor Mike Parson is expected to sign the bill renewing the hospital tax, which will ensure the continuation of funding for the Medicaid program in Missouri.
Republican lawmakers have been working to pass various bills related to election procedures and constitutional amendments. The proposed constitutional amendment to raise the bar for passing future amendments is a top priority for Republicans. This amendment could potentially impact the passage of a pending abortion rights amendment in the fall. Negotiations between Senate Republicans and Democrats resulted in the removal of other election-related language from the proposal, allowing for progress on the bill. The extended standoff in the Missouri Senate highlights the political tensions between different factions within the Republican Party and their differing priorities in governance and policymaking.
