Too fat? Medicaid might be withheld

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Thu, Oct. 27, 2005

Too fat? Medicaid might be withheld

By TIM HOOVER
The Kansas City Star

JEFFERSON CITY — A commission looking at ways to overhaul the state’s Medicaid system pondered Wednesday whether smoking and bad eating habits ought to be penalized.

The Missouri Medicaid Reform Commission must file a report by Jan. 1. On Wednesday, the panel spent most of the day sorting through members’ suggestions.

The commission meets again today and is expected to discuss eligibility requirements for Medicaid, among other subjects.

Sen. Charlie Shields, the St. Joseph Republican who leads the panel, suggested that Medicaid recipients who smoke should be required to take a smoking cessation class before they can receive Medicaid services.
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http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/13006110.htm



Charlie Shields