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JEFFERSON CITY, MO. (AP) -- An election campaign theme plays out in a House budget debate as Democrats try to reverse Medicaid cuts made three years ago by Republicans.
Missouri's Medicaid roles have fallen by 170,000 people from their high point of 1 million when Gov. Matt Blunt and Republican lawmakers trimmed eligibility and reduced benefits.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Nixon has made reversing the cuts his number one campaign pledge.
Republican gubernatorial candidates Kenny Hulshof and Sarah Steelman have generally defended Republican lawmakers for making a tough budget-balancing decision.
House Republicans on Wednesday night defeated Democratic efforts to expand Medicaid eligibility and restore dental and vision coverage to adults.
(Copyright ©2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
