a cce s s H ea l t h N ews . n e t
M a rc h 2 0 2 6
Volume 11 | Issue No. 104
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Missouri also benefits by bringing home its tax dollars, dollars that
have bypassed this state and benefited expansion states. The
federal government will pay 90% of the costs, leaving Missouri to
cover the remaining 10%. To put this into perspective, Missouri
covers 35% of MO HealthNet, the state's current Medicaid program.
Economists say tax revenues generated by economic growth and
new job growth will help offset Missouri's 10% contribution to
Medicaid expansion, positioning the state to realize some of the
same economic gains as other expansion states.
If Amendment 2 does not pass, Missouri's tax dollars will benefit
the other 37 states that expanded Medicaid. It could also foster
more rural hospital closures. A recent report from the Chartis
Center for Rural Health says that 2019 was the worst year for rural
hospitals this decade, with 19 rural hospitals shu ing their doors.
The report, published in February 2020, also says nearly one in
every four open rural hospitals is showing early warning signs
that closure may be imminent soon. In Missouri, 15 hospitals have
closed since 2014, and 10 were in rural communities.
We have the power to make life just a bit
better for those who have been left behind.
Quite frankly, some of these individuals
are our family members.
