The Coverage Gap That Isn’t Going to Disappear On Its Own

On January 1, 2014 more than 193,000 Missourians will find themselves stuck in the health care coverage gap.

These hard working souls make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to be eligible for discounts on the private health insurance provided by government subsidies.

And the only reason 193,000 hard working Missourians won’t be covered on January 1, 2014 is the Missouri Legislature's failure to pass Medicaid expansion during the 2013 session.

Had the legislature passed Medicaid expansion during the 2013 session, those 193,000 Missourians would have been able to take advantage of comprehensive health benefits as a result of the Affordable Care Act’s new standard of Medicaid eligibility that offers benefits to Americans with incomes of up to 138 percent of poverty (roughly $19,500 for a family of three.)

Instead of looking forward to coverage in 2014, 193,000 Missourians are looking at the 2014 legislative session with the hope that those elected to serve the people will get about the business of doing so by passing Medicaid expansion.

Who are the 193,000 Missourians caught in the coverage gap?

They are friends and neighbors, colleagues and classmates, and every one of them is a constituent of legislators under the dome who can right this wrong in 2014.

What’s at stake couldn’t be clearer: pass Medicaid expansion and close the gap between health, wellbeing, and economic stability for 193,000 Missourians.

The coverage gap isn’t going to disappear on its own and Missouri lives are on the line.  Click here to download a printable sign and instructions for participating in the Missouri Lives on the Line campaign and show your support for Medicaid expansion. http://www.mohealthcareforall.org/lives