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May
Keaveny Connection		 Contact: Stacy Morse
(573) 751-3599

Benefits of Medicaid Expansion

Opposing Irresponsible Tax Cuts

Senate Bill 827 Gains Traction

Governor Signs House Bill Handeld by Sen. Keaveny in Senate

Resources for Those Affected By Storms

Summer Food Program

Department of Conservation Offers Summer Camp for Girls
Benefits of Medicaid Expansion
On May 6, a peaceful demonstration by Missouri Faith Voices brought supporters of Medicaid expansion from across the state to the Capitol. They call on legislators to expand Medicaid. The demonstration from the Senate's Upper Gallery and involved chants and signing and lasted about 30 minutes.

With only a few short weeks left in this year's regular legislation session, there are still some vital concerns that must be addressed in the best interest of the citizens of this great state. One of the biggest priorities for members of the Senate, including myself, has been addressing Medicaid expansion.

Below are just a few of the reasons why I support Medicaid expansion in our state:

  • If Missouri expanded Medicaid it would cover about 300,000 Missourians making up to 138 percent of the poverty level, or $16,104 a year for an individual. The federal government would pay the full cost for two years, with the state’s share phasing up to 10 percent by 2020. Read more here.

  • Failing to expand Medicaid will cost the state $77 million in the next fiscal year, and is expected to rise to more than $140 million in fiscal years 2016 and 2017. Every year expansion is delayed, there is an immediate and direct cost to the state.

  • If approved by Missouri lawmakers, Medicaid eligibility would extend from the current 19 percent of the federal poverty level to 138 percent, reducing the state's uninsured by more than one-fourth, providing coverage for meanly 267,000 previously uninsured Missourians, and bringing an estimated $1.56 billion in new federal health care matching funds into the state's economy in 2014.

There are currently 152,335 Missourians enrolled in plans through the Affordable Care Act.

Click here to see a map that tracks where the $5.47 million a day of tax money meant for Missouri to expand Medicaid is being spent in other states.
Opposing Irresponsible Tax Cuts

As soon as the Senate passed Senate Bill 509, the governor scheduled a press conference discussing various provisions of the legislation with which he had issue.

While the governor vetoed the legislation it was narrowly overridden in both chambers. This means the tax cuts will go into effect and the foundation formula will remain under funded in our state. This is detrimental to our state and most of all to our students and schools. Schools already operate on thin and ever-shrinking budgets, to impose these tax cuts is irresponsible and truly, truly effects each Missourian, and most importantly the children.

Senate Bill 827 Gains Traction

Senate Bill 827 would prohibit the use of corporal punishment in all Missouri schools, including private educational institutions. The measure would also require school districts’ discipline policy prohibit the use of corporal punishment and spanking.

I am glad to see this legislation gain the support of the committee and receive a passing vote. It is imperative that we ensure our children are not only safe in our schools, but feel safe and have no fear of physical punishment.

During an April 16 committee hearing, several fifth grade students and teachers from St. Margaret of Scotland testified in support of Senate Bill 827. These students are part of what makes this legislation so important. There is nothing more powerful than having children tell you how they feel about legislation that affects them.

The students said corporal punishment and spanking in schools violated 8th Amendment rights, made children feel unsafe and had the potential to make all students more likely to be aggressive, depressed and anxious. 

Statistics show that in 2008, there were 5,000 children who received corporal punishment in schools in the St. Louis area, with parental consent.
Governor Signs House Bill Handled by Sen. Keaveny in the Senate
Rep. Rory Elinger (waving) stands after the governor signs House Bill 1320 into law. Seen with Rep. Elinger is (left to right) Rep. Jake Hummel, Sen. Keaveny and Sen. Rob Schaaf. Also shown is Rep. Tommie Pierson and Rep. Michael Butler. Photo provided by St. Louis Public Radio.

On April 3, the governor and other legislators gathered in University City to witness the signing of House Bill 1320, a measure sponsored by Rep. Rory Elinger, D-University City. Among other provisions, this legislation allows breastfeeding mothers to be excused from jury duty, if they so request. The bill also exempts mothers who are breastfeeding from being penalized for breastfeeding in public.

House Bill 1320, which was approved unanimously in both the House and Senate, allows a breast-feeding mother to request to be excused from jury duty. The legislation also expands current law to include a mother’s ability to express (pump) breast milk, in addition to breastfeeding, in any public or private location where the mother is authorized to be. 

House Bill 1320 goes into effect on Aug. 28, 2014.

This bill was fast-tracked through the Senate due to the failing health of Rep. Elinger. Just days after the bill was signed, Rep. Elinger sadly passed away from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. This was his final piece of passed legislation.
Resources for Those Affected by Storms

Springtime in Missouri often means there is a good chance of strong storms that involve high winds and hail. In past years, residents of the St. Louis area have faced tornadoes that left behind varying degrees of damage.

Individuals and business owners who sustained property damage should immediately contact their insurance companies.

The Department of Insurance offers these tips for consumers affected by the storms:

  • Contact your insurance agent or your company’s toll-free claims number as soon as possible.

  • If you have lost the contact information for your insurance company, the Department of Insurance may be able to help you locate it. Contact the department at www.insurance.mo.gov or by calling 1-800-726-7390.

  • Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage. For example, a hole in the roof should be covered by a tarp or other materials to keep out rain. The same goes for a broken car window. Otherwise, further damage will likely not be covered by your insurance policy. Keep the receipts for materials you buy so you can be reimbursed.

  • Don’t make permanent repairs until your insurance company has inspected the damage. If you do, the company may not reimburse you.

  • Once your claim is processed, get estimates from contractors or auto repair shops known to you or recommended by someone you trust.

  • If you believe your insurance company has not handled your claim properly, file a complaint. The department will determine whether your insurance company has followed Missouri law when processing the claim.

  • Don't let contractors inspect your property if you’re not watching. Some unscrupulous companies will cause damage to drive up the repair cost, and your insurance company will likely not cover the additional cost.

  • Don't pay the whole repair bill in advance. Pay in full only when the work is completed according to the agreement.

  • Business owners can refer to the “Small Business Insurance” Web page, which offers information on commercial property, business interruption insurance and more.
Summer Food Program
To become a food distribution site or to find a location in your area, contact the Department of Human Services, Youth and Family Division at (314) 657-1695.

The City of St. Louis sponsors an annual Summer Food Service
Program called School's Out Cafe. The program runs June 3-Aug. 6
and is open to students 18 years old and younger.

School's Out Cafe will provide youth with free breakfast and/or
lunch at more than 100 sites within St. Louis City limits.

There are programs in place during the school year that ensure
the most needy children still have food to eat. The Summer Food Service program was created to ensure children continue to receive
the nutritious meals during the long summer break when they no longer have access to the school's food service programs.

Please tell community members and parents that the School's Out
Cafe is the place to send kids for free meals this summer.
Department of Conservation Offers Summer Camp for Girls

The Missouri Department of Conservation will hold the third annual Discover Nature Girls Camp for girls aged 11-15 years old from July 22-24 at Cuivre River State Park in Lincoln County.

This is a free three-day, two-night camp to introduce girls to different outdoor skills in a supportive, yet fun, learning environment.

Campers will participate in a hands-on hunter education class, shoot firearms and archery equipment, walk through a safety trail and take the hunter education test. Throughout the camp, the girls will participate in a variety of outdoor skills such as canoeing, orienteering and fishing.

Campers learn about all aspects of fishing, from fish identification, casting,
tying knots and cleaning fish. All activities take place in group settings. Girls
are taught by knowledgeable instructors. The camp is limited to 60 girls and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To apply, contact the St. Louis Regional Office at (636) 441-4554 to request an application form.