JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Hundreds of people are rallying at the Missouri Capitol to urge lawmakers to expand Medicaid eligibility for low-income adults, despite resistance from Republicans leaders.

About 300 members of the Missouri Medicaid Coalition marched through the Capitol halls Thursday near the Senate chamber chanting, “Silence is violence. Have the debate.”

Republican legislative leaders have said that expanding Medicaid is a nonstarter this year.

Democratic House members have used debate on next fiscal year’s budget as an opportunity to criticize the GOP for blocking the measure, which could mean as much as $2 billion in additional federal money.

Republicans have cautioned that expanding the federal health care program might not have such a sweeping economic impact. They also say the current system is susceptible to fraud.