SLOW DOWN GOVERNMENT-AS-NANNY PUSH

Gov. Mel Carnahan has applied for a waiver to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to allow a huge expansion of Medicaid in Missouri. If granted, as is likely, the waiver will permit Medicaid coverage for middle-class families of up to 300 percent of the poverty level. Missouri and Connecticut are the only two states seeking to do this. Carnahan would abolish income tests in areas with high concentrations of low-income families. Medicaid would be automatically offered to all uninsured children in school districts where half the students are eligible for free and reduced lunches. The governor's proposal is said to cost $187 million, of which $123 million is from federal sources and another $64 million is state funds.

"This puts the state in the health-care business for the middle class," said Sen. Larry Rohrbach, R-California. He argued that many state employees would qualify for the free children's coverage and might drop their state insurance plan, which requires a co-payment.

Well, yes. That is but one of many foreseeable consequences likely to flow from this unprecedented expansion of the government-as-nanny approach favored by Gov. Carnahan. Here's hoping the General Assembly can slow down this rush when they convene next month.