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Missouri continues to see maternal and infant mortality rates, breast and cervical cancer death rates, preterm births, congenital syphilis and depression around pregnancy at rates that are higher than the national average. It also fared among the worst nationally for mental health.
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Missouri has removed roughly 136,000 kids from its Medicaid rolls since June 2023. But the state's worst-in-nation processing delays make it difficult to re-enroll — causing many to miss doctor’s appointments and critical prescriptions.
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Many patients stay away from the dentist out of concern about the costs. Health experts say that MO HealthNet covering dental exams is a significant step in Missouri's effort to improve dental access — and to boost overall health, beyond cavities, molars and gums.
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Doulas help new and expecting families navigate pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Studies show their intervention improves maternal health outcomes.
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The federal government told Missouri it is concerned the state is not doing enough to “achieve and sustain” compliance with federal rules on Medicaid and CHIP. In Missouri, 72% of insurance applications took more than 45 days to process — the worst in the U.S.
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After pandemic-era federal protections for Medicaid ended, Kansas started reviewing who was eligible for state health coverage. About 47% of the residents who lost insurance during that time were ages 18 or younger.
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Missouri’s Medicaid enrollment has shrunk by around 200,000 people since last summer, as the state continues the process of undoing a COVID-era pause on eligibility checks.
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After the critical tax measure overcame a 40-hour filibuster in the Missouri Senate, the House passed it in less than 10 minutes. It now goes to Gov. Mike Parson.
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The Federal Reimbursement allowance is set to expire at the end of September. The bill in question would extend the tax through September 2029.
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Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri no longer perform abortions; their affiliates in Illinois and Kansas do. Despite a new law restricting Medicaid reimbursements, the Missouri clinics continue to provide services such as contraceptive care, STI testing, cancer screenings and wellness checks.
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A lawsuit appears likely over the measure, which goes into effect later this year. Missouri Republicans had tried for years to stop any funds from going to abortion providers or their affiliates.
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The new law will go into effect Aug. 28. Planned Parenthood, Democratic lawmakers and health organizations say the ban will cause the most harm to low-income Missourians who rely on the clinics for contraceptives, STI testing, cancer screenings and more.