Mike Parson should put aside politics and expand Medicaid in Missouri during pandemic

Leaders put aside partisanship and politics in search of the best path forward in times of crisis. That means compromise and letting facts, science and good ideas prevail. I have confidence that Missouri will overcome this public health and economic crisis if we do just that.

The scope of this coronavirus pandemic is bigger than we’ve ever faced, and it’s weighing heavily on each and every one of us. It’s especially hard on those who are facing lost income and a lack of health insurance because of the economic disruption required to stop the spread of the disease.

Gov. Mike Parson should seek a waiver from the federal government to expand Medicaid temporarily to those Missourians who, through no fault of their own, find themselves caught in a health insurance coverage gap. This temporary expansion would put partisanship and politics aside, and put Missouri on the path to overcome this public health emergency.

The federal government is stepping up with enhanced unemployment benefits and aid for small businesses. Still, many Missourians feel less secure financially, and our economic future looks cloudier than just several weeks ago. The last thing someone should have to fear is a lifetime of crushing medical debt because they get sick with COVID-19. State government needs to step up now to do its part on health care.

An initiative is making its way to the ballot that would expand Medicaid in Missouri next year if voters back it in November. I support it. Parson has said he opposes Medicaid expansion and will campaign against it. Medicaid expansion would extend health insurance to Missourians who have an annual income between $8,533 and $21,720 for a family of three. Roughly 250,000 Missourians fell into this category even before the coronavirus. Independent studies have found that expanding Medicaid is budget-neutral, so it wouldn’t require a tax increase.

COVID-19 may put considerably more Missourians into this coverage gap. Unemployment benefits may barely cover groceries, rent and utilities. For those who had health insurance through work, or pay for it on their own, lost jobs and wages make getting sick a personal financial disaster. In the middle of a health care and economic crisis, we must do whatever we can to provide coverage for every Missourian.

Instead of asking the governor to do something he has said he opposes, I am calling on Parson to meet me, and hundreds of thousands of Missourians, halfway. Missourians did not sign up for this crisis, but they deserve leadership that will help them get through it. Over the years, waivers have been used by Democratic and Republican governors to expand Medicaid with state-specific flexibility in times of emergency, such as Hurricane Katrina.

This step would help stabilize our health care system and give the uninsured peace of mind. A surge in hospital expenses during an infectious disease outbreak risks breaking our health care system. This is not partisan or political — it’s about saving lives and saving hospitals. As a fiscally conservative accountant, I know inaction is far more costly to our state.

Many of our hospitals were already on the brink of closure even before this crisis hit, and seven have closed in the last several years. Hundreds of thousands of working Missourians were already living without health insurance. Public health experts are warning of unprecedented strains on our health care system from this emergency. We cannot let those suffering from illness or lost wages during the pandemic fall through the cracks.

Gov. Parson and I do not often agree on much, but at times like this, we must all put our political differences aside and do what’s best for Missourians who are hurting badly right now. We should be able to agree that we want to care for those who get sick from COVID-19 and will act to help Missouri quickly overcome this pandemic.

Nicole Galloway is Missouri State Auditor and a Democratic candidate for governor.