Nixon invites Mo. lawmakers to Medicaid discussion

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Gov. Jay Nixon is proposing a Thanksgiving week meeting with Missouri lawmakers to discuss potential changes to the Medicaid health care system.

Nixon wants to meet Nov. 26 with members of House and Senate interim committees who have been studying potential Medicaid changes ahead of the 2014 session. The governor says he wants to talk about ways to "provide better outcomes for patients and better returns for taxpayers."

The Democratic governor says Missouri's Medicaid system will be one of the most pressing issues before the Republican-led Legislature next year.

Earlier this year, the Legislature rejected Nixon's proposal to expand Medicaid to more lower-income adults under the terms of the new federal health care law. Republicans legislative leaders say they want to revamp Medicaid before considering an expansion.