Congressman Cleaver Joins Governor Nixon to Push for Medicaid Expansion

Press Release

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II received a standing ovation from a crowd of more than 100 area residents, following his passionate speech pushing Missourians to support the expansion of Medicaid.

"This is not just a medical issue," said U.S. Representative Cleaver, "this is a moral issue. Fact-free debate and political partisanship have no place being injected into this issue, the hardworking people of Missouri's Fifth District deserve better. Much better."

Dozens of elected officials joined Congressman Cleaver and Governor Jay Nixon at St. James United Methodist Church in Kansas City to show their support, and to give information and answer questions to those in attendance.

Expanding Medicaid in Missouri would close the coverage gap, and would result in almost 300,000 low-income adults throughout the state getting access to health care. Most people who fall into the Coverage Gap are working families who make too much to qualify for Medicaid under current law, but not enough to get subsidies for other health care coverage. Consequently, they are employed, yet still unable to get basic health care.

Speakers told the crowd Medicaid expansion would not cost Missouri taxpayers additional money. It would be paid for through federal funds until the end of 2016 at 100%, and then at 90% in the years following.

In fact, they said, hard-earned, taxpayer dollars from Missourians are going now to the 26 states and District of Columbia, which have already opted to expand their Medicaid programs.

"This is a good thing for Missouri, not a controversial one," said Congressman Cleaver. "Even a dumb Methodist minister like me can figure that out."

As the crowd laughed, the Congressman reminded them that time is short and cooperative efforts are imperative.

"These people are our neighbors, our friends, and hardworking Missourians," said Congressman Cleaver. "They are working, playing by the rules, and desperately in need of knowing that if a catastrophic event strikes, they will not face financial ruin. Let's do the right thing and let's do it now."

Governor Nixon explained to the audience that Missouri will save money through the expansion of Medicaid, through increased economic activity, improved patient outcomes, and a higher federal match rate of Medicaid coverage.

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