CRC Advocacy

CURRENT ACTION ALERTS:

The Missouri Legislative Session ended on May 15, 2009.  Please read below for a recap of what happened this year related to our mission of tikkun olam.

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Missouri Legislature Votes "No" On Health Care

The Missouri General Assembly finished the 2009 legislative session on Friday, May 15 at 6 pm. This year's session had major implications for social services and health care. Here's what happened:

Early in the budget process, the House Budget Committee voted to cut millions of dollars worth of critical social services, mental health care, and services for adults with disabilities. Concerned Missourians, including CRC members, immediately took action. Along with our allies, our members called, e-mailed, and wrote to their elected officials; met with their state representatives; and rallied against the cuts. Our efforts made a difference! Despite the objections of House budget leaders, most of the cuts were restored in the final version.

Health care is another matter. During the budget process, the legislature turned away more than $142 million dollars that would have provided health coverage to 35,000 parents cut from Medicaid - at no cost to the State of Missouri. Similarly, the House of Representatives refused to fund increased access to health coverage for Missouri’s uninsured kids.

Late in the session, the General Assembly considered a separate bill, SB 306, to expand health care access for low-income Missourians. In the end, policy disagreements stalled the bill. Ultimately, at a time when more Missourians than ever are struggling to afford health care, the General Assembly did nothing to expand health care.

In addition to the many debates on health care and social services, the General Assembly considered a bill that would have further restricted access to abortion services in Missouri. Fortunately, the House and Senate could not agree on a common version and the bill did not pass.

The General Assembly refused to pass several proactive measures related to issues important to CRC members. Among these were pro-reproductive health bills such as the Prevention First Act (which would have promoted policies that help prevent unintended pregnancies), a Comprehensive Sex Education bill, and a bill that would have educated parents about the HPV vaccine, which can prevent most kinds of cervical cancer.

Legislators also refused to pass the Missouri Non Discrimination Act (MONA), which would have protected Missourians from being fired or denied housing or public accommodations due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. For now, it remains legal in Missouri for an employer to fire an employee simply because he or she is gay.

Finally, the General Assembly declined to pass the Safe Schools Act, which would have protected students from bullying due to race, religion, ability, appearance, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Clearly, we still have a lot of work to do in Missouri!

CRC, as a member of Missouri Health Care for All, actively spoke out for health care, mental health care, and social services this year. Thank you to the many CRC members who participated in the process.

Next Steps: This year's disappointing Missouri legislative session highlights the need for federal health care reform and continued work with our Missouri legislators. We expect opportunities for federal reform sometime this summer and are working on plans to meet with key state and federal elected officials. Please watch your e-mail for updates from CRC!

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Advocacy at CRC

CRC encourages its members to take an active role in advocating for important social justice issues that reflect our mission and core values of Tikkun Olam, the repair of the world.

While the congregation cannot speak for all its members on all issues, our members can make their own voices heard on the important issues of the day. 

Most recently, CRC has been involved in working on the following issues:

• Increasing access to healthcare for all and opposing the Medicaid cuts
• Protecting reproductive rights, reproductive healthcare, and sexuality education
• Supporting stem cell research, with the promise of treating and curing diseases that affect millions of Americans
• Advocating for the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, including opposing discriminatory marriage bans and supporting proactive anti-discrimination and anti-hate crime measures
• Working for economic justice for all Missourians, including supporting a statewide initiative to increase the minimum wage

CRC is working on a plan to expand our advocacy work in the near future.  To get involved or learn more, please contact Jennifer Bersdale, Director of Advocacy and Communications, at (314) 361-1564 ext. 116 or jennifer@centralreform.org.

Please check back soon for more information about CRC's advocacy work!