Expanded MO HealthNet Anticipated to Benefit Missouri Kids

In the August 2020 primary election, Missourians voted to expand MoHealthNet, the state’s Medicaid program, managed by the Department of Social Services (DSS). MoHealthNet estimates an additional 230,000 Missourians will be eligible for coverage through the expansion.

Expansion works to help people who fall into what’s called a coverage gap.  They don’t make enough money to take advantage of tax credits that would help them pay for insurance but make too much to be eligible for Medicaid. Because they’re stuck without an affordable option, most of these people go without health insurance and often without the healthcare that they need. Or they use emergency rooms as their only source of healthcare because the ERs can’t turn patients away regardless of ability to pay.  That places an overwhelming financial burden on many hospitals, especially those in rural areas. Some are even forced to close. With expansion, the federal government will give Missouri an infusion of funding to MoHealthNet to get more of the people in the gap covered. The federal government will pay 90% of the cost while Missouri will pay the other 10%.

Though the expanded funding is specific to working adults, the impact it’s expected to have for Missouri’s kids is significant.  Research supports that there are a number of benefits to children, starting with more kids getting insurance of their own.  Research shows uninsured parents are three times more likely to have uninsured kids, even if their kids qualify for a healthcare coverage program.  On the flip side, it has been demonstrated in other states that have expanded coverage, that children are more than twice as likely to gain coverage along with newly eligible parents.

Expanded MoHealthNet funding supports the old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  That’s because, when insurance is available to cover well visits and other preventive care services, they’re much more likely to be taken advantage of, allowing providers to catch potentially serious illness while it’s treatable and less costly. This reaches kids who aren’t even born because better healthcare and health practices during pregnancy lead to healthier babies and a lowered infant mortality rate. Additionally, preventive healthcare can keep working parents on the job, avoiding wage loss that can have a staggering impact on their children’s day to day care. The new expansion has the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs, many of them well paying, providing opportunity for some of the parents whose kids would benefit from that boost in finances.

In general, health is tied to overall well-being.  When parents are healthier, be it physically because they are able to get the care they need, or mentally because they’re less stressed about how they’re going to pay their medical bills, the entire family benefits. Children benefit from having a home environment with healthy adults who can care for them while also being cared for themselves.

If you do not currently have health care coverage through MO HealthNet, the Family Support Division can assist you with your application.

December 15, 2020