The nonpartisan Urban Institute published a study that found not expanding Medicaid will cost Kansas and Missouri hospitals more than $9 billion in federal funding in a nine year period.

It is time to go beyond partisanship and look at the facts, which overwhelmingly point to the many benefits expanding Medicaid would bring, from giving people the chance to go to the doctor without fear of bankrupting themselves, to generating jobs and spurring growth in our medical industry. The positive impact expansion would bring is impossible to ignore. 

A report from the nonpartisan Missouri Budget Project found that if Missouri expanded Medicaid, we’d see an immediate savings of $81 million, and $100 million annually later. The report also noted that for $1 in taxes hospitals pay to help cover the state’s Medicaid costs, the hospitals get back $2 from the federal government to cover the services they provide under the program.

These savings would come from money the state currently spends on Medicaid services provided to pregnant women, mental health patients and prisoners in need of medical care. 

Under expansion, the report says, the federal government would pick up no less than 90 percent of the tab for expenditures the state currently shoulders in whole or in part for pregnant women making less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level, mental health patients and prisoners in the custody of the Department of Corrections. 

Not expanding Medicare is also having very real consequences for existing healthcare providers. Under the Affordable Care Act, the reimbursement fees hospitals receive for treating uninsured patients are reduced. That problem would have been mitigated by more people being on insurance, whether through Medicaid through expansion or health insurance exchanges.

Just last week, Nashville Business Journal published a story about Franklin-based Capella Healthcare selling Mineral Area Regional Medical Center (MARC) in Farmington, a much-needed health organization in a rural area. The most telling quote came from Mark Medley, SVP, President of Hospital Operations for Capella, who said, “These past few years have been very difficult for smaller rural hospitals…continued reductions to reimbursement, and continued increases in uncompensated care—due at least in part to the lack of Medicaid expansion in Missouri…have come together to create a particularly challenging environment for hospitals like MARMC.” 

You can buy and print your hunting and fishing permits online. For more information, call (800) 392-4115.

Whether you are a seasoned angler or a first-timer, you can find excellent fishing at one of the many urban trout fishing lakes in the Saint Louis area. MDC began stocking trout in urban ponds and lakes in Saint Louis City in 1989. Since then, the Saint Louis Winter Trout Program has expanded into Saint Louis County, five cities and the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area.

Each year, MDC hatcheries raise and stock more than 35,000 trout in the Saint Louis area. Although a few lunkers (up to 10 pounds) are stocked, most stocked trout average three-quarters of a pound. Most are rainbow trout, but brown trout have been included on rare occasions. Trout stocking in urban lakes begins in early November and runs through February. Several lakes receive two stockings a month, while seasonal catch-and-release lakes get stocked less.

Regulations, Permits and Gear

The Missouri Department of Conservation is holding winter trout fishing at a number of St. Louis lakes. For urban trout fishing, you will need a fishing permit. Please remember, the trout lakes are catch and release from November through January—this means you can’t take your catch home to eat. During the catch and release season, only artificial lures can be used. Beginning Feb. 1, you can catch and keep the trout at the winter lakes and use any bait or lure. If you plan on keeping the trout, you will need to purchase a trout permit ($7 and its good for the entire year). 

Participating Saint Louis Lakes

• August A. Busch Conservation Area lakes 3, 21, 22, 23 and 28
• Boathouse Lake (Carondelet Park – St. Louis City)
• January – Wabash Lake (City of Ferguson)
• Jefferson Lake – Forest Park (St. Louis City)
• O’Fallon Park Lake (St. Louis City)
• Suson Park lakes 1, 2 and 3 (St. Louis County)
• Tilles Park Lake (St. Louis County)
• Vlasis Park Lake (City of Ballwin)

If you find time, consider traveling to one of Missouri’s fine trout parks where fish are stocked daily from March 1 through Oct. 31. MDC also stocks trout in several cold-water Ozarks streams. 

For more information on the Missouri Department of Conservations urban trout fishing program, or other programs, visit www.mdc.mo.gov or please call the Saint Louis Regional Office at (636) 441-4554.

In related news, the Missouri State Parks Division recently set up a trout cam at Bennett Spring State Park. Viewers can see how the waters are looking at the lake and catch glimpses of trout in their natural habitat. The cam uploads a new photo each minute. To view the cam, click here or visit www.mostateparks.com/content/trout-cam.