Amendment 2 Archives - Missourinet

Governor on passage of Medicaid expansion: “The people voted for it. So we’re going to implement it”

August 6, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

By a slim 53% of the vote in Tuesday’s primary election, Missouri joins 37 other states and will expand Medicaid. Of Missouri’s 114 counties, 105 voted against adding another 230,000 low-income adults to government-funded healthcare.

Governor Mike Parson briefs Missouri Capitol reporters in Jefferson City on August 5, 2020 (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

At a press conference Wednesday, Gov. Mike Parson, who opposed expansion, reacted to the ballot measure’s passage.

“The people voted for it we. So we’re going to implement it in the state of Missouri because that was the will of the voters. We just got to figure out – the big thing is where do you find the funding for it right now. You’re probably looking at $200 million or something like that off the bat,” says Parson. “So we’ve got to figure out where that funding is going to come from. Hopefully the economy gets better. Hopefully we can meet that financial obligation a little easier but right now it’s tough times.”

The measure allows the federal government to pick up about 90% of the state’s Medicaid costs while the state covers the other 10%. The projected cost of the expansion has quite the range – either an additional $200 million to the state or a savings of $1 billion.

“We’ll implement it,” says Parson. “We’re just going to have to find the money to be able to pay for it, but we’ll figure that out.”

Under Amendment 2, adults could qualify for government-funded healthcare if they earn up to about $18,000 annually or roughly $36,000 for a household of four.

Missouri becomes 38th state to expand Medicaid

August 5, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Missouri voters have spoken. They want to join 37 other states that have expanded Medicaid.

About 53% voted during Tuesday’s primary election in favor of providing Medicaid to another 230,000 low-income adults. Roughly 47% of Missouri voters opposed the ballot measure.

The outcome highlights Missouri’s urban and rural divide. Of Missouri’s 114 counties, 105 voted against expansion.

Missouri becomes 38th state to expand Medicaid

Under Amendment 2, Missouri adults could qualify for government-funded healthcare if they earn up to about $18,000 annually or roughly $36,000 for a household of four. It allows the federal government to pick up about 90% of the state’s Medicaid costs while the state covers the other 10%. Currently, the federal government pays for about 65% and the state shells out the rest of the funding.

The clash between those for and against the proposal has been largely about the way the measure would affect the state’s piggy bank and the philosophical differences. The other message Republicans have been raising is the plan also changes the Missouri Constitution to force additional people onto Medicaid. The feature effectively blocks Republican lawmakers from adding conservative elements to the program, such as work requirements and premiums.

The projected cost of the expansion has quite the range – either an additional $200 million to the state or a savings of $1 billion.

The ballot measure requires Missouri to expand Medicaid by next July and formally notify the federal government by March 1.

Missouri Chamber of Commerce endorses Medicaid expansion effort

June 12, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

The Republican-leaning Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry says today that it backs a Medicaid expansion effort on the August primary election ballot. In a statement from President Dan Mehan, he says the business group supports Amendment 2 as a “pro-jobs measure” that will help fuel economic growth throughout our state.

Missouri Chamber of Commerce endorses Medicaid expansion effort

“According to economic projections, expanding Missouri’s Medicaid program will boost job creation by 16,000 jobs per year for five years. Likewise, passage will expand our state’s economic output by $2.5 billion,” says Mehan. “While this data makes a clear case for passing Amendment 2, the benefits of Medicaid expansion are even more significant during this time of economic hardship. The Missouri Chamber urges voters to approve Amendment 2 on August 4. Let’s not miss this chance to bolster our economy during this recovery while expanding access to health care for our fellow Missourians.”

Gov. Mike Parson and the influential business group generally agree on political issues. But, many Missouri Republican lawmakers, including Parson, oppose the expansion of Medicaid. Parson has said the state cannot afford to put more people on government-funded health insurance and other priorities like education, public safety and mental health would compete for the same funding.

The Healthcare for Missouri campaign wants to put another 230,000 low-income adults on Medicaid. If approved by voters, those earning up to $18,000 annually could qualify.

The Missouri Hospital Association says ten rural Missouri hospitals have closed since 2014. Missouri is one of 14 states without Medicaid expansion.