For Immediate Release:  March 10, 2023

About Halfway Through Session, My Glass is Half-full

My priority legislation for this session, Senate Bills 45 & 90, which would extend postpartum health care coverage for low-income women to one full year after childbirth, was third read and passed by the Senate on March 1. However, I ended up voting no on my own bill because new language was added that I fear will prevent it from being implemented by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. As it’s now written, I don’t believe this legislation will accomplish what the vast majority of us want to do for low-income mothers and their newborn babies.

The governor, Senate leadership, my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and more than 100 medical organizations expressed support for measures that could decrease Missouri’s maternal mortality rates, which are double the national average. Missouri ranks 44th nationwide. So, I am profoundly disappointed that a few folks were able to put this life-saving bill at risk.

The language that was added to the bill prohibits out-of-state payments of Medicaid that will impact our most utilized hospitals at our state’s borders, excludes women who receive services in violation of Missouri’s laws from receiving these extended health care benefits and forces the Department of Social Services’ hand in Medicaid redeterminations before anyone is enrolled in this life-saving program.

To me, this is flat-out government overreach that invites policing and surveillance of low-income women. With the added language, I can no longer support this bill, but with a positive attitude and glass half-full mentality, I am hopeful that the Missouri House of Representatives will clean up this legislation and help us get it across the finish line before session ends in May.

Supplemental Budget Passed to Fund State Worker Pay Raises

On a positive note, the Senate passed a supplemental budget that will allow for an 8.7% cost of living pay increase for our valued state workers and a $2 per hour shift differential for people who work late night or overnight shifts. Elected officials will not receive pay increases. Seeing a turnover rate of nearly 30 percent and more than 7,000 open positions across state government, the governor asked the General Assembly to approve this measure by March 1. We met this goal, and the bill was signed into law on Feb. 27. Visit governor.mo.gov to read the governor’s press release regarding the Fiscal Year 2023 Early Supplemental Budget Bill, House Bill 14.  

Senate Bill 91 Would Help Missouri’s Most Vulnerable Citizens and Animals

On March 1, I presented Senate Bill 91 to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. This two-part legislation would require animal control officers and animal humane investigators to be mandated reporters in cases of abuse and neglect of children, the elderly and other vulnerable persons. These officers would be trained to recognize the signs of abuse and neglect.

The other part of the bill would create a mandated reporting requirement for certain mental health, educational, protective services and law enforcement personnel for reporting animal companion abuse. Cases of companion animal abuse or neglect would be reported to a hotline established by the Missouri Animal Control Association. Again, these employees would be trained to recognize the signs of abuse and neglect so the hotline isn’t bogged down with erroneous calls.

Tax Credits for Neighborhood Assistance Programs

On March 1, I was pleased to see my amendment to Senate Bill 131 pass on the floor. This amendment, dealing with tax credits for neighborhood assistance programs, would allow unused funds from affordable housing production that are already set aside to be used for operating assistance by organizations helping the unhoused in our community. This provision in SB 131 is identical to my sponsored legislation, Senate Bill 661.

One of the biggest beneficiaries of this measure would be Habitat for Humanity, which works to address a variety of housing needs around our state. I think this is a really fiscally responsible way to help our community. This money is already allocated, and we should be putting it to good use for Missourians.

The Senate adjourned for spring break on March 8 and will resume our normal Senate schedule on Mon., March 20.

It is an honor to serve the 24th Senatorial District. If you ever need anything, please feel free to reach out to myself or my amazing staff, Anne Ogier and Emily O’Laughlin. You can contact my office by phone at 573-751-9762, email at tracy.mccreery@senate.mo.gov or stop by the State Capitol, Room 425. For information about me, my committee assignments or my sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/McCreery.

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