Health Policy and Advocacy

Advocacy – a tool for achieving policy and systemic change – is a key strategic priority of the RHC. Our advocacy efforts, which remain non-partisan, evidence-based, collaborative, and patient/person-centered, bolster our mission to improve access to health care, improve health outcomes, and eliminate health disparities.

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Actions We Prioritize

  1. Take a firm position on policies that improve health outcomes and increase access to care
  2. Leverage other organizations to share and support advocacy issues
  3. Utilize data and patient/provider stories to elevate patient concerns
  4. Empower and educate advisory boards and patients with advocacy tools and trainings
  5. Strengthen relationships with elected officials and provide education
View the RHC’s Policy Tracker

Take Action

After months of campaigning and organizing, in August 2020, Missourians passed a ballot measure to expand Medicaid and improve the health of our state. The St. Louis Regional Health Commission (RHC) is committed to ensuring Medicaid expansion’s timely and effective implementation.

Before expansion, nearly 600,000 Missourians, or almost 1 in 10, did not have health insurance. Expansion extends eligibility for an additional 275,000 Missourians, including people with chronic diseases, such as diabetes and asthma. Now, adults may qualify who earn less than $17,774 per year as an individual, and less than $36,750 for a family of four (138% of the federal poverty level). 

We need to hold our state accountable to effectively implement the expansion of this life saving program. Sign up for our listserv (at the top of this webpage) to stay updated about advocacy opportunities. 

Visit covermissouri.org for more information on how to enroll in Medicaid.

Stay informed about upcoming elections and make your voice heard! Your vote impacts the health of your community. Visit the RHC’s Vote Safe page for more information on how to vote safely in the upcoming elections.

Each legislative cycle, the RHC tracks Missouri legislation that could impact the health of our state. Stay informed via the RHC’s Policy Tracker page. Contact your elected officials to let them know what you think about the bills!

Advocacy Framework

Collectively design and align strategies with regional efforts.

Develop shared advocacy action steps with advisory boards and partners.

Educate advisory boards, the Commission, legislators, and the community on policy updates and action steps.

Leverage partner organizations to activate their own communities.

Advocate for specific policy changes at institutional, regional, state-wide, and federal levels.

Our Priority Areas

Expanding coverage for the uninsured and underinsured

Achieving health equity

Developing the health care workforce

Addressing social determinants of health

Legislative Spotlights

  • RHC Releases Statement on Gender-Affirming Care
    On April 27th, the Regional Health Commission released a statement on gender-affirming care in response to the Missouri Attorney General’s emergency regulation. Read the statement from the RHC below, or click to download a pdf version. The St. Louis Regional Health Commission and Alive and Well Communities advocate for access to gender-affirming care for transgender…
  • RHC partners with St. Louis County Jail to improve Medicaid coverage of incarcerated people
    Overview The Regional Health Commission (RHC) has partnered with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health (DPH) to mass-enroll people incarcerated in the St. Louis County Jail in Medicaid health insurance coverage. The goal of the initiative is to help those who are incarcerated apply and enroll in Medicaid so that when they are…
  • Securing Access to Care: Medicaid and Reproductive Health
    ST. LOUIS, September 26, 2022 – On October 6th, 2022, the RHC with partners Behavioral Health Network of Greater St. Louis (BHN), Generate Health, St. Louis Integrated Health Network (IHN) and Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM) hosted a Town Hall and Educational Roundtable event, centered around Medicaid and Reproductive Health. If you were unable…
  • Legal Update: The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade
    Following the Supreme Court’s decision to ban abortion, states now have the legal authority to regulate abortion access. Shortly after the decision was released, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt certified House Bill 126, which holds that abortion is illegal in all cases except where a medical emergency threatens the life of the pregnant person. Follow…
  • Medicaid enrollment backlog persists as advocates say Missouri could be doing more
    An article by the Missouri Independent published this week highlights the extended wait times that Missouri residents are facing to get approved for health insurance through Medicaid expansion. According to the state’s latest figures, almost 73,000 Missourians had Medicaid applications pending as of January, and the time that residents are waiting for approval is increasing….

Questions?

To learn more about the RHC’s Health Policy and Advocacy work, please contact Riisa Rawlins.