Advocates for Medicaid expansion in Missouri are making their cause known to state lawmakers, according to The Missouri Times.
As lawmakers take a break from the current legislative session, advocates with the Missouri Medicaid Coalition are holding public events across the state, and in many cases, near where particular lawmakers live, according to the report.
Advocates have canvassed and passed out literature in St. Charles, where Senate Pro Tem Tom Dempsey (R) lives. A town hall meeting and vigil was also scheduled there. In Joplin, where Senate Majority Leader Ron Richard (R) lives, advocates plan to hold a town hall event before a public gathering or "visibility event" on Saturday, according to the report. And a town hall discussion will be held at Western State University in St. Joseph, where Sen. Rob Schaaf (R) lives.
In addition to all of that, advocates have been in Columbia "wielding signs urging lawmakers to close the 'coverage gap,'" and have plans to participate in events in Kansas City and Warrensburg, according to the report.
"What advocates of Medicaid expansion around the state want their legislators to know is that while this is an issue that gets worked on in Jefferson City, Medicaid expansion is a number one issue back home in their districts," Rebecca Gorley, deputy communications director with the Missouri Medicaid Coalition, told The Missouri Times. "For one reason or another, the location of these district actions is looking to create awareness for key legislators."
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