A press conference highlighting the negative impact on St. Francois County without Medicaid expansion brought out community leaders who urged Missouri legislators to act.
The brief event, held on the front steps of Farmington Christian Church, featured the Rev. Larry Colvin, pastor; Al Sullivan, St. Francois County Community Partnership executive director; and Gina Harper, East Missouri Action Agency certified application counselor.
Charlie Edelen of Missouri Jobs with Justice Coaltion organized the event, saying, “In Febraury, Farmington’s local hospital was bailed out by Barnes Jewish Hospital due to the lack of Medicaid expansion in Missouri.
“The legislature’s inaction on Medicaid expansion has prevented hardworking families from having affordable access to healthcare, caused hospitals to close, and eliminated 1,800 jobs statewide.”
Sullivan noted that St. Francois County has more than 8,000 uninsured residents. In addition, the state has 300,000 people who fall into what is called the “Medicaid Coverage Gap.” They make too much to qualify for Missouri’s current Medicaid system, but not enough to qualify for subsidies on the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace.
“My coworkers and I have seen far too many residents in the gap,” he said. “As a result of not having affordable access to healthcare, they go without basic necessities. Legislators need to understand the plight of their constituents and act to expand Medicaid for hardworking families.”
Sullivan added that Medicaid expansion is not a political issue, pointing out that former U.S. senators John Danforth and Kit Bond — both Republicans — have voiced their support of the measure.
Edelen said, “Faith leaders, healthcare providers and residents in the coverage gap have held events and press conferences across Missouri urging their legislators to expand Medicaid.