Gov. Jay Nixon on Friday signed legislation reauthorizing Missouri Rx, the state program that helps more than 212,000 low-income Missouri seniors and those with disabilities afford essential prescription medicine.
Without the three-year reauthorization contained in House Bill 412, the program would have expired in August.
“Across our state, hundreds of thousands of Missouri seniors and those with disabilities rely on Missouri Rx to afford vital prescription medications,” Nixon said at a bill-signing ceremony at the Grace Hill Murphy-O’Fallon Neighborhood Health Center in St. Louis. “With this new law, they won’t have to choose between filling a prescription and putting food on the table. Last December, I called on the General Assembly to pass this legislation. Throughout the session I made it a top priority, working with members in both chambers to get this bill to my desk. Today, I’m proud to sign it into law.”
Established in 2006 when Medicare Part D took effect, Missouri Rx works with Part D plans to lower the out-of-pocket expenses eligible seniors and individuals with disabilities pay for prescription drugs, according to a news release. The program pays 50 percent of all out-of-pocket costs for medications that are covered by a senior’s Medicare Part D plan, including the cost of the deductible and co-payments.
In addition, Missouri Rx continues to provide benefits when seniors are in the Medicare Part D coverage gap, also known as the “donut hole.” There is no enrollment fee, premium or deductible to join Missouri Rx.
Currently, more than 212,000 Missourians are enrolled in the program, the release stated. Missouri Rx is open to Missouri residents who are enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan and who meet income-eligibility limits. Elderly and disabled Missourians enrolled in MO HealthNet are automatically enrolled in Missouri Rx.
Last December, the governor was joined by state Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, and stated Rep. Tishaura Jones D-St. Louis when he called for the General Assembly to reauthorize Missouri Rx, and on Friday he thanked them for their successful work.
“Sen. Justus and Rep. Jones filed bills for Missouri Rx, and worked very hard to see this all the way through the process,” Nixon said. “I join the hundreds of thousands of Missouri seniors and those with disabilities who will be helped by this bill in expressing our gratitude to them.”
House Bill 412 was sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, and handled in the state Senate by Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa.
For more information on Missouri Rx, visit
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