Amendment would strengthen protections for vulnerable Missourians, and appear on 2022 ballot
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Members of the Missouri General Assembly today filed a Proposed Constitutional Amendment to cover pre-existing conditions for Missourians. Led by Sen. Karla Eslinger (R-Wasola), House Majority Floor Leader Dean Plocher (R-St. Louis County), and Rep. Brenda Shields (R-St. Joseph), the resolutions would place the issue before Missouri voters in 2022, if passed by the General Assembly.
“No Missourian should be penalized for having a pre-existing condition,” Sen. Eslinger said, “We are living in uncertain times with unprecedented economic challenges, and this measure would ensure countless working families are guaranteed coverage if they lose access to job-based insurance while our economy recovers.”
Estimates suggest there are over 1.2 million Missourians between the ages of 18-64 who have been diagnosed with pre-existing conditions in recent years, with thousands more added in recent months due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Proposed Amendment would preclude insurance companies from denying coverage, exclude benefits, or charge more to children and adults with preexisting conditions.
“This is a commonsense measure that protects Missourians who deserve equitable access to health insurance, and I hope the legislature joins us in acting swiftly this session to place this important issue before voters,” Majority Floor Leader Plocher said.
The Proposed Constitutional Amendment would appear before voters on the November 2022 General Election ballot. If passed by Missourians, the measure would take effect January 1, 2023.
“Missouri communities are stronger and more prosperous when our citizens are healthy. Strengthening these protections will help our most vulnerable citizens whether they are cancer survivors or suffer from asthma,” Rep. Shields said.
The Senate and House Joint Resolutions have been posted publicly, and may be found online at SJR 26 (Eslinger), HJR 50 (Plocher), HJR 51 (Shields).
