JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Gov. Jay Nixon says he'll continue trying to expand Medicaid health coverage to more Missourians.
The Democratic governor campaigned throughout this year's legislative session to increase Medicaid eligibility for lower-income adults as called for under the federal health care law. Nixon's proposal would have tapped more than $900 million in federal funds to cover about 260,000 adults.
But the Republican-led Legislature repeatedly rejected the plan, citing concerns about the potential long-term costs.
Nixon sent a letter Tuesday to supporters of Medicaid expansion calling this year's defeat a "temporary setback." He urged supporters to continue talking to neighbors, colleagues and local officials.