Following the conclusion of the 2023 Missouri legislative session on May 12th, the RHC has published a legislative “wrap-up” to summarize the wins, losses, and issues to keep an eye on going forward.
You can read the full wrap-up here, or find summaries of the key policy issues we are tracking below. If you missed the wrap-up announcement in your email inbox, make sure to sign up for our advocacy alerts!
Postpartum care
SB 106 and SB 45/90 extend postpartum healthcare coverage for birthing people enrolled in MO HealthNet for the duration of and one year following pregnancy. If signed by the Governor, benefits will begin immediately.
Healthcare workforce
SB 157 and SB 70 expand the scope of practice for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). This will expand the workforce supply to meet the demand for health care utilization across the state, especially in the health care safety net.
Health Equity
Efforts to add anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion language to the Fiscal Year 2024 state budget and establish a Parents’ Bill of Rights (SB 4) to increase parental control over educational curriculum fail. Both issues will likely come up again in the 2024 legislative session.
Initiative Petition Reform
HJR 43 would have increased the threshold for Constitutional ballot measures to pass from 50% to 60% of voters. The measure came close to passing, but the Senate did not pass it in the end. It will likely be brought back again in 2024, ahead of attempts to protect abortion access through the ballot.
Now that the 2023 legislative session is over, it is a perfect time to let your elected officials hear from you about these important issues. The Governor has yet to take action on many of the passed pieces of legislation, and can still hear from you. Your state and federal Senators and Representatives work for you, their constituents, and you have the power to vote them in or out of office. It is important that they hear from people living in their district. You can make your voice heard by thanking them for voting “yes” on issues that matter to you or sharing your disappointment when they support issues that are harmful to the health and wellbeing of your community.
Contact your legislators: click here to find out who they are and how to contact them.
Register to vote: click here to do so. 2024 federal, state-wide, and municipal elections are just around the corner. Help others in your life register too!
Join the fight: If you would like to take action with the RHC and learn more about our advocacy efforts, click here to sign up.