Coronavirus Update

Grundy County reports a COVID-related death and 17 new cases of COVID-19; Daviess County reports 19 new cases, Livingston County 13

The Grundy County Health Department announces an additional COVID-19-related death, bringing the total to 42. Seventeen new cases have been reported since August 9th, making that total 1,413. Sixty-one cases are active, which the health department reports is the highest number of active cases since January 19th. The active cases include 24 Grundy County residents […]

Cole County Judge Jon Beetem (Screenshot courtesy KRCG-TV)

Judge orders state to immediately allow Missourians to enroll in expanded Medicaid

(Missouri Independent) – The Missouri Department of Social Services must allow newly eligible residents that qualify for benefits under voter-approved Medicaid expansion to enroll and cannot impose greater restrictions on them, a Cole County judge ruled Tuesday. Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem sided with the plaintiffs who urged him to allow Medicaid expansion to take […]

Medicaid Expansion in Missouri

Audio: Hatfield expects decision in Missouri Medicaid expansion lawsuit case in a few business days

Missouri’s Solicitor General says the state Department of Social Services needs two months to implement voter-approved Medicaid expansion. D. John Sauer made his comments Friday to Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem, saying DSS needs more employees and computer upgrades for implementation. Attorney Chuck Hatfield, who represents the three low-income women suing Missouri, disagrees.   […]

Coronavirus Update

New cases of COVID-19 reported in seven area counties

The Sullivan County Health Department, on the evening of August 6, confirmed 11 more COVID-19 cases, which brought the total to 1,028. Forty-six cases were active. There had been 17 COVID-19-related deaths reported for Sullivan County. Four COVID-19 cases were added in Linn County since August 3. The health department, on the afternoon of August 6, reported […]

Medicaid Expansion in Missouri

Audio: Cole County judge expected to issue final order on Missouri Medicaid expansion today

We’ll learn new details Friday in Jefferson City about how Missouri will proceed with voter-approved Medicaid expansion.     The Missouri Supreme Court’s 14-page ruling includes a conclusion, which requires Friday’s hearing in Cole County Circuit Court. “For the reasons set forth above, the circuit court’s judgment is affirmed only insofar as it overruled the […]