Healthcare for Missouri led the campaign to put Medicaid expansion into Missouri’s state constitution, which was approved by voters on Aug.4, 2020. The campaign issued the following statement today in support of a lawsuit filed by three Missourians who are eligible for healthcare coverage under Medicaid expansion starting July 1.

“Voters put Medicaid expansion into the state’s constitution to deliver healthcare to more than 275,000 Missourians, help keep our rural hospitals open, and bring billions of our tax dollars home from Washington, D.C. It is not a request. It is a binding constitutional requirement that the State of Missouri must meet starting July 1 of this year.

“The legislature funded Medicaid as part of its current budget, and the state does not break out funding for different groups of individuals based on the category of their Medicaid eligibility. Under Missouri’s constitution, individuals eligible for Medicaid expansion cannot be treated differently than any other Medicaid eligible population.

“We have confidence that the courts will uphold Missouri’s constitution and respect the democratic vote of its citizens. We fully support the lawsuit to enforce Missouri’s constitution and applaud these great Missouri citizens for their courage in standing up for Missouri’s democracy and all of our friends, families, and neighbors who need access to healthcare.”

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