JEFFERSON CITY — On the day Medicaid expansion was supposed to become a reality in Missouri, more than 100 protesters staked out a state office building to scold Gov. Mike Parson for not implementing it.
The crowd called on Parson, a Republican, to respect the constitutional amendment expanding Medicaid that 53% of voters supported last August.
The union-heavy crowd chanted outside the Missouri Department of Transportation headquarters, waiting for Parson to come out of the building. He exited through another door, away from most of the crowd.
“Respect our vote!†they chanted. “Governor Parson show your face!â€
Parson in January proposed spending $120 million to cover the expansion, but legislators zeroed out his proposal. The Missouri Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on July 13 on whether the expansion can move forward after a Cole County judge struck down the amendment last month.
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Enrollment for the expanded population was supposed to start July 1, per the amendment.
The expansion is supposed to cover adults making up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or about $17,700 per year for an individual.
Parson said the protesters should have spent time lobbying the Legislature when it was in session. After the GOP-controlled House and Senate rejected funding for expansion, Parson withdrew his application for expansion to the federal government.
“That was the legislative process. It’s fine to protest and be out there. But the reality of it is there is nothing to be done until next year,†Parson said.
Jeremy Manley, spokesman for Teamsters Local 245 in Springfield, Missouri, said, “Medicaid and Medicare, it’s a basic human right for every person.
“It helps us dramatically when we go to negotiate good contracts for our members if there’s a health care option that’s available for everyone,†Manley said.
Jason Starr, president of the United Auto Workers Local 249 in Kansas City, said the union wanted to “stand up†for what voters supported “despite our governor ignoring the will of the voters.â€
Starr said his members receive “very good health care†through their union contract, “which is why we believe in it so much.â€
Health care “provides you security to live your life in a dignified manner without worrying about how you’re going to pay medical bills,†he said.
Starr said Medicaid expansion would help his members.
“We’re all connected as working people,†Starr said. “So as working people do better, we do better.â€