Too fat? Medicaid might be withheld

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Too fat? Medicaid might be withheld
The Kansas City Star ^ | Posted on Thu, Oct. 27, 2005 | By TIM HOOVER


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.

Those comments led to a discussion about healthful eating habits, with some Republican members of the panel saying that there should be penalties or disincentives for Medicaid recipients who are obese.
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