The African-American Aldermanic Caucus stands in opposition to the recent Medicaid budget cuts by the Missouri Legislature and Governor Blunt. These cuts are proving to be a very harsh sentence for our children and families.
On July 1, over 68,000 Missouri parents lost their health care coverage. Although the cuts did not directly target children, research has shown that uninsured parents are less likely to take their insured children for preventative care, including immunizations and dental visits. In addition, it is expected that many families will be unable to afford the premiums that will go into effect later this year.
According to Citizens for Missouri’s Children, approximately 23,000 children will be dropped because their parents simply cannot pay. On their limited budgets, parents will be forced to choose between buying food for their families and paying their Medicaid premiums.
These cuts are a very shortsighted approach to solving the state’s budget crisis. Healthy parents and children are generally more productive. Parents with access to health care are more able to contribute to their family’s income and to the state’s general revenue by paying income taxes. Children who have health care miss fewer days and are more successful in school. The loss of health care coverage will lead to poorer health, loss of employment and income, reduced school attendance and loss of financial stability. Families without health care will face exorbitant medical bills that will result in bankruptcies and financial devastation.
The uninsured that do not have primary care physicians seek medical attention at emergency rooms and are more likely to be hospitalized. Those costs are eventually passed onto those of us who are insured. Medicaid provides access to preventative care, which helps relieve the burden from emergency rooms, clinics and the insured. Medicaid budgets will put an additional strain on the local health budgets, most especially in the communities of the African-American Aldermanic Caucus.
As if all of this is not enough to bear, recently the state began sending annual review letters to verify Medicaid eligibility. If parents fail to respond in 20 days, they and/or their children will lose access to health care for six months. Many will be unable to respond in the limited timeframe for various reasons. But one reason of great concern is that they simply cannot read or comprehend the letter’s message.
The state does not follow its own mandated guidelines that Medicaid recipient communication be written at a sixth-grade reading level or below. It also does not translate its message for the thousands of non-English speaking immigrants and refugees who now call Missouri their home. These recipients will have to find someone to help them understand the legal jargon and then try to respond.
It is time for the state to show compassion to its low-income citizens and find ways to help, instead of creating barriers that prevent them from leading healthy, productive lives. The African American Aldermanic Caucus believes there should be a better attempt made to communicate and there should be a longer response time or second chances.
By the time all the Medicaid budget cuts are in effect, as many as 100,000 parents and children could lose their health care coverage. Health care will be less affordable for the insured. Schools will receive fewer dollars because attendance will be down. Emergency rooms will be stretched far beyond their capacity. Families will fall further into financial crisis. But the bottom line is that, Missouri’s parents and children will be less healthy.
Together we can make a difference. Contact the governor and your legislators. Tell them that these Medicaid budget cuts are unacceptable, irresponsible and immoral.
Michael McMillan, Jeffrey L. Boyd, Gregory J. Carter, Bennice Jones King, Frank Williamson, Charles Q. Troupe, Dionne Flowers, Freeman Bosley Sr., OL Shelton, Aril Ford Griffin, Lewis Reed, Terry Kennedy