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The House rejects healthcare cuts for elected officials.

April 13, 2005
By: Jade Mingus
State Capital Bureau

The proposed Missouri budget will affect everything from the First Steps Program to Medicaid. But Jade Mingus tells us how Missouri lawmakers escaped the cutbacks.

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Democratic Representative Trent Skaggs of Kansas City proposed an amendment in response to proposed Medicaid cuts.

The amendment would cut elected officials healthcare benefits by twenty percent.

Republican Representative Jim Lembke of St. Louis County said the healthcare cuts are unreasonable.

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"You know why just twenty percent, why not ask the body to forego all their health insurance? Why not the 31,000 a year we make to come down here and serve the people."

The amendment was shot down by three votes in the house.

If the amendment had passed, the cuts would have saved Missouri nearly 300,000 dollars.

From the state Capitol, I'm Jade Mingus.

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State lawmakers will not be among the thousands of Missourians suffering from healthcare cuts.

Jade Mingus tells us how Missouri lawmakers rejected cuts aimed at themselves.

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The House voted down Kansas City Democrat Trent Skaggs healthcare cuts for elected officials 78 to 75.

Democratic Representative Jeff Harris of Columbia was in favor of the cuts.

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"I support this amendment because what the gentleman from Clay is doing is what the Governor should be doing which is leading by example. You do not do a makeover of your office when you are kicking old folks off of healthcare."

If the amendment had passed, the state would have saved almost 300,000 dollars.

Some house Republicans, like Representative Jim Lembke of St. Louis County said the healthcare cuts are unreasonable.

From the State Capitol, I"m Jade Mingus.

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Missouri lawmakers rejected an amendment that would cut their healthcare coverage by twenty percent.

Jade Mingus has more from the state Capitol.

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The House shot down Democratic Representative Trent Skaggs amendment that would have generated nearly 300,000 dollars for the state of Missouri.

Democratic Representative Wes Shoemyer of Clarence, Missouri, said thousands off Missourians will be cut off Medicaid... and elected officials won't feel the effects.

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"Let's lead by example, let's share the pain."

The amendment failed by a three vote margin.

Republican Representative Jim Lembke of St. Louis County says the healthcare cuts are unreasonable.

From the state Capitol, I'm Jade Mingus.