Nixon speaks out about the DSS Medicaid “glitch”

On Wednesday Governor Nixon spoke publicly about the Department of Social services, after ABC 17 News discovered computer issues delayed people’s Medicaid benefits.

“It’s important to know it would have been easier though, if two years ago the legislature would have approved these 100 percent federal dollars. So, instead of having the one year to do this we would have had the two years we requested,”said Nixon.

This is also the first time Governor Nixon has addressed the issue publicly. This comes just days after Speaker Tim Jones released a statement regarding the issues DSS is having.

In Jones’ statement he said, “It’s disappointing that the governor’s agencies continue to fail so many Missourians in so many different ways.”

One of those Missourian’s is 70-year-old Lillian Lynn of Rocheport. She was struggling to pay her grandchildren’s medicine payments.

On Wednesday ABC 17 asked the governor what he is doing to fix those problems, as well as why this keeps happening.

“People that deserve services… we’re working hard to try and make sure that any glitches that arise because of the transition into the more computer-oriented system rather than paper-oriented system is taken care of.”

Nixon went on to say DSS has helped a number of people who have had trouble signing up. The governor then blamed the legislature for not giving him more time.

“We’ll get to the finish line here, and we’ll get to a more cost effective system and more technology, but we’re having to operate on a much shorter timeline,” said Nixon.

Today, ABC 17 found out the Missouri House has scheduled hearings on the problems in DSS.

The chair of the appropriations committee said her panel will be holding a meeting next Monday. That hearing will start at 10 Monday morning at the capitol.