Missouri Democratic Party
KANSAS CITY – Twelve years ago today, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law, which lowered health care costs for millions and made it easier for Americans with pre-existing conditions to get coverage. Since then, President Biden and the Democrats’ American Rescue Plan has built on the success of the ACA. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, over 250,000 people in Missouri who get insurance through the marketplaces established by the ACA are now seeing reduced health care costs by 16% – no thanks to every single Republican member who unanimously voted against the American Rescue Plan.
This March anniversary falls during the continued Medicaid Expansion battle in Missouri, waged by Republican legislators. In 2020, Missourians voted to expand Medicaid to over 300,000 more people through the citizens’ initiative process. Since then, the Republican state leadership has fought the will of the people at every turn, including just this week in Jefferson City.
“The ACA brought hope to so many Americans, and the ARP is a promise to build on that success. Missourians have an obstacle though – the Republican led State Legislature. For two years they have fought tooth and nail to withhold funding for Medicaid Expansion, even after court decisions demanding otherwise. Missourians are not receiving the level of care they deserve or were even promised,” said Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director Randy Dunn.
“A federal law states that any state must respond to a Medicaid coverage request within 45 days. Today, the average wait time for Missourians is 119 days. In the middle of a health crisis, 119 days can mean life or death – 119 days of not knowing if your family will be bogged down by medical bills for their rest of their lives. This is happening for one reason and one reason only: the flippant discourse and actions of the Republicans in charge. The state infrastructure should be able to handle the expansion process, but they aren’t being given the resources to do so.
Twelve years ago today, Democrats passed the Affordable Care Act amid unprecedented Republican opposition. This week, Missouri Republicans stood on the State House Floor and emphasized their plans to ditch Medicaid Expansion. The contrast could not be more clear: While Democrats are still fighting to lower costs for families, Republicans are still running on an agenda of higher premiums and reduced health care options for all of us,” said Dunn.