Missouri Occupational Therapy Association Votes to
Support Medicaid Expansion Ballot Initiative
Kansas City, MO (November 6, 2019) - On October 24, 2019, the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA) Board voted in favor of supporting the initiative to add Medicaid Expansion to the ballot in the State of Missouri for November of 2020. This vote is consisting with MOTAs mission to support access to occupational therapy services in the state of Missouri.
When the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, states were given the opportunity to expand Medicaid services with the federal government funding 90% of the cost for expansion. This Medicaid expansion would cover individuals with an income at 138% of the Federal Poverty level (FPL). It is estimated that this expansion could bring coverage to 271,500 Missourians including 40,500 children. There is an estimated cost savings of $39 million for the State.
Missouri Medicaid currently covers occupational therapy services in a limited capacity for adults and for children under 21 years of age. Without expansion, the MO Medicaid program covers children, pregnant women, those with disabilities, some seniors, and parents/caretakers of dependent children under age 19 if they have an income of less than $3,626 annually. With expansion, Missouri Medicaid would cover individuals with an annual income of up to $18,000 or $30,000 for a family of three.
This initiative is supported by groups such as the Health Forward Foundation, BJC Healthcare, Washington University, and the Missouri Hospital Association and is organized by Healthcare for Missouri. The effort will require more than 172,000 eligible signatures to qualify for the ballot. If passed, Missouri would be the 37th state to expand Medicaid and would be passed in a way that amends the State Constitution and would limit the ability for state legislators to alter this effort.
While future initiatives may look into expanding occupational therapy coverage under Medicaid, we support this effort to expand overall access to healthcare and therefore occupational therapy services. MOTA supports our practitioners, our patients, and a healthier Missouri.
If you have any questions or concerns you can reach MOTA at MOTA Practice You can find out more about the initiative at Healthcare for Missouri
References:
Centers for Health Economics and Policy at Washington University (2019. Analysis of the fiscal impact of Medicaid expansion in Missouri. Retrieved from Medicaid Expansion Analyses
Missouri Department of Social Services (ND). Medicaid services - MO HealthNet. Retrieved from Missouri Department of Social Services
Springfield News (2019) Here’s who putting big money behind Missouri Medicaid expansion. Retrieved from:
Springfield News Medicaid Expansion