Mo. governor wants to renew medicine program

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon wants to continue a prescription drug program that is due to expire later this year.

Nixon traveled to Springfield on Wednesday to announce that his budget proposal will include nearly $24 million to continue providing prescription drug coverage for some low-income seniors and the disabled.

The Missouri Rx program is due to expire Aug. 28 -- less than two months after the new state budget takes effect.

The state program pays half of the out-of-pocket prescription drug expenses for people covered through the federal government's Medicare Part D plan. To qualify, individuals must have an annual income of less than $21,660, or $29,140 for married couples.

More than 227,000 people are enrolled in the program.