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Missouri Digital News
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Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
Hundreds of disabled Medicaid recipients and their caretakers filled the Capitol to protest Governor Blunt's proposed Medicaid cuts. They say the cuts could force disabled Missourians from their own homes and into nursing homes. Tim Carnahan has more from the state Capitol.
Some protestors drove six hours to protest the Mediciad cuts, specifically the elimination of the Medical Assistence for Workers with Disabliites program.
That program gives working, disabled Missourians who are living independently access to medical assistance.
Rose Johnson travelled almost a hundred miles from Salem to join the rally. She says an abusive reltionship left her with brain damage and limited mobility. She says the cuts would force her out of her home and make her dependent on charity.
Tens of thousands of Missourians would be affected by the cuts, which have passed the Senate, and are in the Missouri House.
Republicans maintain the cuts are necessary to balance the budget.
From the state Capitol, I'm Tim Carnahan.
###TDC###
Hundreds of disabled Missourians rallied at the state Capitol [today/Tuesday] to tell Governor Blunt and state Republicans their Medicaid cuts could cost the disabled their independence. Tim Carnahan has more from the state Capitol.
Protestors spilled out of the crowded rotunda, into the Capitol halls, and up into the overhanging balconeys.
They travelled to Jefferson City from all over Missouri to protest plans to eliminate MAWD, a Medicaid-funded program which helps disabled Missourians live independently.
Farmington Republican Kevin Engler was one of only two Republican Senators to vote against the Medicaid bill.
He gave the rally some tips.
Engler also suggested that instead of cutting the rolls, the Missouri Government should consider raising taxes on gaming and cigarettes.
Governor Blunt has said he would not support any tax increases.
From the state Capitol, I'm Tim Carnahan.
###TDC###
As the Medicaid bill begins to move through the state House, hundreds of disabled Missourians rallied at the state Capitol for the thousands who could lose health care if Governor Blunt's Medicaid cuts pass. Tim Carnahan has more from the state Capitol.
Christie Hargrove says she has suffered from Systemic Lupus since the age of 13. The Medicaid MAWD program has helped her live alone. A personal attendant visits her daily to help her manage her disaese and daily activities. She says the cuts would require her, at age 41, to move into a nursing home.
Hargrove says lawmakers have an unrealistic view of how Medicaid recipients live.
Hargrove and hundreds of disabled Medicaid recipients travelled from across the state to rally lawmakers at the Capitol; to try to prevent Governor Blunt's broad cuts to Medicaid, which could cost more than ninety thousand Missourians their health care coverage.
Farmington Republican Kevin Engler was one of only two Senators to oppose the bill. He told the rally he would support an increase in cigarette and gaming taxes to minimize the cuts.
But, Governor Blunt rejected that proposal, saying he would not raise taxes to balance the budget.
From the state Capitol, I'm Tim Carnahan.