After a hot debate in the Senate, the elderly are poised to become the first to get Missouri's tobacco settlement money.
Laetitia Thompson has the story from the state capitol.
The debate began when Senate Appropriations Chairman Wayne Goode said the Senate didn't have the money for increased Medicaid nursing home reimbursements.
St. Louis County Senator John Schneider took up Goode's idea and asked the Senate to use tobacco money for nursing home care.
The Senate approved Schneider's proposal even though its unclear if Missouri will even any tobacco money.
From Jefferson City, I'm Laetitia Thompson