Opinons on amendment 2

State Treasurer, House Budget Chairman ‘sound alarm regarding cost’ of Amendment 2 on August ballot

Posted 7/29/20

Jefferson City — Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick and House Budget Chairman Representative Cody Smith on July 27 held events across the state designed to share the truth they believe …

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Opinons on amendment 2

State Treasurer, House Budget Chairman ‘sound alarm regarding cost’ of Amendment 2 on August ballot

Posted

Jefferson City — Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick and House Budget Chairman Representative Cody Smith on July 27 held events across the state designed to share the truth they believe about the cost of Medicaid expansion in Missouri.

Both officials are asking voters to vote “no” on Aug. 4, according to a joint release.

Amendment 2 is conservatively projected to cost $200 million in state general revenue and $1.8 billion in federal funding every year. It is projected to increase current Missouri Medicaid rolls from 950,0000 participants to more than 1.2 million participants, according to Republican party officials quoted.

According to Fitzpatrick, “The incredibly large price tag of expanding Medicaid will require massive cuts to our state’s education funding levels or an increase in your tax bill or both. With Election Day right around the corner, it’s imperative to inform Missourians of the long-lasting consequences that could result from the passage of Amendment 2.”

“We have to get the word out to voters that Amendment 2 provides no new revenue source to pay for Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion in Missouri. In the history of our state, never has there been a new $200-plus million cost mandated on our general revenue fund without an enormous ripple effect across other services Missouri provides,” said Smith.

“The impact of COVID-19 on the state’s economy has been detrimental. More than a $1 billion have been cut from the state’s general revenue budget in recent months,” Smith said in the statement. “Just this month, services requiring state support have been drastically reduced, including elementary school funding, college scholarships, and support services for those in need. Amendment 2 will be a knockout blow to the state budget as more services will be cut or eliminated to pay for the healthcare of able-bodied adults.”

“Three-hundred thousand (300,000) people cannot be added to a public healthcare program without significant cost to taxpayers,” said both men in their joint release. “As the state’s chief financial officer and as the lead appropriator in the Missouri House of Representatives we are compelled to share with voters the cost of expanding Medicaid. If Amendment 2 passes, Missouri will be forced to make further cuts to existing state services to maintain a balanced budget.”

(Editor’s note: Go to UnterrifiedDemocrat.com for more opinions).