Missouri officials have overstated the economic benefit of the state's main job-incentive program and have been "woefully inadequate" in verifying businesses are following through on what they say they will do, the state auditor said Monday.

Republicans in at least three states want to abandon an expansion of Medicaid in President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, and more than a dozen other states are considering it in the wake of the Supreme Court decision removing the threat of federal penalties.

Blind Missouri residents could have to start paying premiums of more than $100 monthly to remain eligible for state health care coverage, under a budget-cutting plan put forth Tuesday night by a Senate committee.

Some insurance agents urged caution Monday as Missouri lawmakers considered changes to a state-created workers' compensation firm that has been criticized by the state auditor for taking advantage of a federal tax exemption while spending heavily on perks.

The CEO of Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance Co. endorsed a proposal Tuesday for lawmakers to study whether any changes are needed to the state-created company after an audit recently criticized it for excessive expenses.

The effort may be futile, but Senate Republicans decided Tuesday to make one more attempt at settling their differences with House members on a business-incentive bill that has been the focal point of a six-week long special session.

An estimated 1,200 people have sought unemployment benefits in the Joplin, Mo. area after their workplaces were damaged or destroyed by a deadly tornado two months ago, according to the local chamber of commerce.