JEFFERSON CITY — On Wednesday, Feb. 3, Sen. Jamilah Nasheed (D–St. Louis) attempted to pass an amendment that would have increased health care coverage for 200,000 of the working poor. Missouri currently limits Medicaid coverage to only those adults with children. The expansion would allow those qualifying adults to get health care.
Senator Nasheed stated, “I will not rest until health care is available to all Missourians. This is a cost saving measure, as we all know an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is also a jobs bill, potentially employing tens of thousands of Missourians in the health care field.”
Senator Nasheed was tapped early in the session by fellow party members to carry the torch for Medicaid expansion. She stated at the time that she was humbled to be asked to serve.
The amendment ultimately failed to pass when it was ruled out of order by the president pro tem of the Senate.