Legislative Black Caucus Pushes Plan for Greater Healthcare Coverage

Members of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus react to Governor Matt Blunt’s State of the State speech, expressing concerns over the Governor’s healthcare proposals. Senator Rita Days of St. Louis favors a Canadian-style health care program for Missouri, in which everybody is covered from womb to tomb. “When you look at any other industrialized nation in this world,” says Days, “They pay less for their healthcare, and yet all of their people are covered. We’re not doing something right here.” The comments came at a news conference held by members of the Black Caucus. Each wore stickers that read, “First Things First. Make Missouri Healthcare A Priority.” The caucus rejects Governor Blunt’s proposal to eliminate the franchise tax for businesses providing health insurance to employees, saying too few businesses and employees would benefit from the idea.