Missouri House redirects money meant for Medicaid expansion

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri House wants to redirect Medicaid expansion funding to services for people with disabilities, the elderly and other vulnerable groups.

The GOP-led House on Thursday voted 143-1 to pass an alternative plan for how to spend the Medicaid expansion money.

Missouri voters last year amended the state Constitution to extend access to the government health care program to thousands more low-income adults.

Many Republican lawmakers don't want to give more people access to Medicaid, so the House stripped money for expansion from next year's budget.

Democrats are condemning the move.