IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION calling on the Missouri General Assembly to fund Medicaid expansion, as approved by the voters of Missouri.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 20657, April 26, 2021
INTRODUCED BY Crystal Williams, Ronald E. Finley, Jalen Anderson, Tony Miller, Scott Burnett, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, on August 4, 2020, Missouri voters approved a ballot measure to amend the state constitution to expand Medicaid, a measure that was approved by nearly 74% of voters in Jackson County; and,
WHEREAS, the Missouri Medicaid Expansion Initiative requires the State of Missouri to provide Medicaid for persons under the age of 65 whose income is equal to or below 138 percent of the official poverty line; and,
WHEREAS, Missouri is one of only fourteen states that have rejected federal funds to cover the costs of the recommended Medicaid expansion; and,
WHEREAS, it is estimated that over 275,000 citizens of Missouri will benefit from Medicaid expansion, with the federal government covering ninety percent of the cost through the Affordable Care Act; and,
WHEREAS, expansion of Medicaid in Missouri is supported by the Missouri Hospital Association, the Missouri Primary Care Association, and Missouri Health Care for All, a grassroots coalition of individuals, health care providers, and faith organizations; and,
WHEREAS, healthcare providers are mandated to serve everyone who enters an emergency room, resulting in the financial burden of uncompensated care for these providers; and,
WHEREAS, in rural Missouri, at least nine hospitals have closed since 2014 and roughly one-quarter of patients of Missouri community health centers are uninsured, conditions that may be alleviated by the expansion of Medicaid; and,
WHEREAS, presently MO HealthNet, Missouri's Medicaid program, provides health insurance only to children, pregnant women, those with disabilities, and some senior citizens; and,
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