Medicaid Expansion Wins in Missouri

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 5, 2020 

CONTACT: Lucy Dagneau, (860) 966-2845 

(BOSTON, MA)—By a 53-46% margin, Missourians voted yesterday to make health care more affordable for more than 230,000 people by expanding health coverage under the state’s Medicaid program, MO HealthNet. The measure is also expected to bring billions in federal funding into Missouri’s economy, protect rural hospitals, and create thousands of jobs statewide. 

This win is especially important for essential workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and other low-wage workers who earn too much to qualify for MO HealthNet but not enough to qualify for Affordable Care Act subsidies. Because they face discriminatory barriers to economic security as a consequence of systemic racism, Black people in Missouri are more likely to face this coverage gap and benefit from Medicaid expansion. Medicaid expansion was endorsed by Missouri health care providers, public health officials, business leaders, advocates for working families, race equity advocates, first responders, and faith leaders. Supporters included the Missouri Nurses Association, Missouri Public Health Association, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Missouri Hospital Association, Kansas City Medical Society, Black Health Care Coalition, Forward Through Ferguson, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City. 

Community Catalyst was proud to work with Missouri Health Care for All and the Fairness Project to educate Missourians about the benefits of Medicaid expansion, including lifting up the stories of Missourians living in the Medicaid coverage gap.

Statement of Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst, in response to these developments:

“In voting to expand Medicaid, Missouri voters put people over politics. Whether it’s a pandemic, a car accident, or asthma, people deserve access to health care to protect themselves and our community if they become sick or lose a job. We congratulate Missouri Heath Care for All and the Healthcare for Missouri campaign and thank the people of Missouri for their leadership.” 

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About Community Catalyst

Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill.For more information, visitwww.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter@healthpolicyhub.