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Dave Helling

Missouri Medicaid expansion supporters say Oklahoma is a template for voter approval

Supporters of Medicaid expansion in Missouri expressed confidence Wednesday that voters will approve the proposal August 4.

Jack Cardetti, who has helped organize the campaign for Amendment 2, says the recent success of Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma suggests broad support for the idea here.

Amendment 2 was placed on the ballot by initiative petition. It would amend Missouri’s constitution to require participation in the Medicaid expansion authorized by the Affordable Care Act.

The proposal would expand coverage to Missourians too poor for health insurance on the federal exchange but earning too much to qualify for regular Medicaid.

Elias Tsapelas of the Show-Me Institute said expansion would cost Missourians, and all taxpayers, more than they expect. The Institute has not taken a position on the issue, but has been broadly critical of Medicaid expansion in the past.

The two men were guests on the “4Star Politics” web program. Wednesday’s edition also includes a roundtable discussion of the race for the U.S. Senate seat in Kansas, and the fundraising success of Democrat Barbara Bollier.

This story was originally published July 8, 2020 at 5:02 PM.

Dave Helling
Opinion Contributor,
The Kansas City Star
Dave Helling has covered politics in Kansas and Missouri for four decades. He has worked in television news, and is a regular contributor to local broadcast programs. Helling writes editorials and columns for the Star, and is the co-host of the weekly “4Star Politics” show. He was awarded the 2018 ASNE Burl Osborne award for editorial leadership.
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