Gov. Nixon open to Republican Medicaid proposals

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon says he’s open to many of the Medicaid changes sought by Republican lawmakers as part of a plan to expand health coverage to low-income adults.

In an unusual move, the Democratic governor met privately for about 45 minutes Wednesday with House Republicans at the Capitol.

Republicans have repeatedly defeated Nixon’s plan to expand adult Medicaid eligibility to 138 percent of the poverty level, which is about $32,500 for a family of four. A Republican-led House committee was to vote later Wednesday on an alternative that adds fewer adults to Medicaid while injecting more private-sector competition.

Nixon said he’s open to a private insurance model for Medicaid and to new co-payment requirements for participants.

States that expand to 138 percent of poverty can receive full federal funding.