Health Groups Applaud the Passage of Amendment 2, Improving Access to Quality and Affordable Healthcare

ST. LOUIS – (August 5, 2020) – Yesterday, Missourians voted "yes" on Amendment 2, providing 230,000 state residents with access to critical healthcare coverage through the state's Medicaid program.

Thirteen national organizations representing patients facing serious chronic medical conditions released the following statement regarding the results of yesterday's election.

"This is a tremendous day for access to healthcare in Missouri. Thirty-seven other states have already passed this critical policy, which will now provide affordable and accessible healthcare coverage to more than 230,000 people in our state.

"For people with heart or lung conditions, diabetes, undergoing cancer treatment, or living with other chronic diseases, Medicaid expansion will provide prevention, early detection and diagnostic services as well as disease management and treatment for their conditions, preventing costly emergency room visits.

"The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of healthcare access. Currently, Missouri has an unemployment rate of 7.9%. Many of these people lost their employer sponsored healthcare coverage and fall into what's called the Medicaid coverage gap, where their income is above Medicaid eligibility limits but too low to afford private healthcare coverage. Medicaid expansion will provide both opportunity and protection as they search for new employment options.

"Thanks to Missouri voters, thousands of people will now have access to quality and affordable healthcare coverage. Our organizations urge the Governor to start working immediately to implement this expansion."

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
American Kidney Fund
American Lung Association
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Hemophilia Federation of America
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Missouri
National Hemophilia Foundation
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Organization for Rare Disorders
Susan G. Komen