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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri bill lets state workers opt out of health coverage for annual cash stipend
Last action · March 5, 2026: Public Hearing Completed (H)Sponsor: Mike Costlow
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What This Bill Would Do
Active state employees eligible for the may decline health coverage and instead receive an annual cash stipend equal to half the state's normal contribution for individual coverage, provided they show proof of separate health insurance.
Changes compensation and benefit choices for state workers by offering taxable cash in exchange for declining state health insurance, tying the payout amount directly to individual state contribution rates.
- The Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan provides health care benefits for public employees and retirees across the state. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
active state employees
Active state employees gain the option to decline health coverage in exchange for a taxable annual cash stipend equal to half the state's individual contribution rate upon showing proof of alternative insurance.
Key Facts
- Eligible active state employees can elect to forgo health care coverage under the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan in exchange for an annual stipend.
- The annual stipend equals fifty percent of the amount the state would have contributed toward the employee's individual health care coverage for the relevant calendar year.
- Contributions toward the cost of health care coverage for an employee's spouse or dependents are excluded from stipend calculations.
- Employees must provide proof of coverage under a separate health insurance plan to qualify for the stipend.
Show all 9 facts
- New hires must make the election within thirty-one days of their hire date and provide proof of current separate health insurance.
- Employees electing during an open enrollment period must show proof that they will be covered by a separate plan at or before the beginning of the succeeding calendar year.
- Stipends for periods of forgoing coverage that are less than a full calendar year will be prorated accordingly.
- Stipend payments are treated as taxable income from state employment.
- The provisions do not apply to dental or vision benefit coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to receive the annual stipend instead of health coverage?
How is the amount of the annual stipend calculated?
Does the stipend option apply to dental or vision benefits?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
5 actions- Mar 5, 2026HousePublic Hearing Completed (H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Government Efficiency(H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseFloorRead Second Time (H)
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroducedRead First Time (H)
- Dec 1, 2025HouseIntroducedPrefiled (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
house.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance50How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy25Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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