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Press Release: Senator-elect Jill Schupp Introduces Legislation to Provide Health Care to up to 300,000 Uninsured Missourians

NEWS From the Office of

Senator-elect Jill Schupp

 

24th District

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Dec. 9, 2014

 

 

CONTACT:  Senator-elect Jill Schupp

(573) 751-9762

 

     

 

Senator-elect Jill Schupp Introduces Legislation to

Provide Health Care to up to 300,000 Uninsured Missourians

 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Senator-elect Jill Schupp filed legislation this week to provide approximately 300,000 uninsured Missourians with access to affordable health care. Schupp’s legislation would take advantage of federal funding to expand Medicaid coverage to Missourians with incomes up to 138 percent of the poverty level.

 

In filing SB125, Schupp said it is time for Missouri to join with the nearly 30 states that are already experiencing the benefits of Medicaid expansion, such as job growth and historic drops in the number of uninsured. She noted that a recent study by the University of Minnesota found that the number of uninsured people in the state has dropped to the lowest level in state history as a result of this expansion of healthcare access. Schupp said Missouri would be foolish not to help its own citizens by expanding a program designed to provide care to those who cannot otherwise afford it.

 

“If we look around the nation we see this is not a partisan issue, but instead an issue of compassion and human decency. Republicans and Democrats alike have come together in other states to expand coverage to families who desperately need affordable access to care. It is time for Missouri to put aside the political rhetoric and do what is right for 300,000 Missourians whose lives would be dramatically improved by Medicaid expansion,” said Schupp, D-Creve Coeur.

 

Missouri currently limits Medicaid eligibility for custodial parents to no more than 19 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $4,532 per year for a family of four.  Schupp’s bill would expand access to affordable health care to Missourians with incomes of up to 138 percent of the poverty level or $32,913 per year for a family of four.  Schupp noted this is the final year that 100 percent of the expansion will be funded by federal tax dollars.  Going forward, the federal government will cover no less than 90 percent of the cost; with safeguards in Schupp’s bill should the cost to Missouri for this expansion rise above 10 percent.

 

Schupp added, “The opportunity is before us to provide substantive help to families in all parts of our state, and to do it with minimal cost to Missouri taxpayers. We have seen the legislature stand in the way of this effort for the last two years.  People from around the state are clear.  They want access to healthcare for those family members and neighbors in need. I am optimistic that we can find the common ground necessary to move Medicaid expansion across the finish line this session.”

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