Faces of the Governor’s Cuts to Healthcare
Governor Eric Greitens and the rest of the Republican establishment in Jefferson City are responsible for deep cuts to healthcare, leading to higher prescription drug costs for over 63,000 seniors and the elimination of in-home care and nursing services for over 8,000 seniors and people with disabilities in Missouri.
Here are some of the Missourians that have recently been impacted throughout the entire state:
Kevin Pickett, Kansas City
Kevin Pickett, “was born with a congenital defect called arthrogryposis, a destroyer of joints” and has seen his “reimbursements for in-home health care” cut by a third, according to the Kansas City Star. He told the Kansas City Star, “I’m not a number on the spreadsheet. I have a voice. There are others affected by these cuts who can’t communicate, who can’t self-advocate. … I’m not going to lay down and take it.”
Emma Jo Mudd, Monroe City
Emma Jo Mudd, 94, is facing higher costs for her prescription drugs following cuts to the MORx program. She told the Hannibal Courier-Post, “I’d like to ask the governor why he cut Missouri RX? Doesn’t he realize that seniors need this…Why pick on us?”
Gary Sallee, Oak Grove
Gary Sallee “received a letter from the state noting his services may be cut to the point he can’t live at home,” according to KSHB. He added, “I tried calling the governor…I didn’t get any call back or response there.”
Marjorie Prunty, Northland
Marjorie Prunty, 74, is now paying higher prices for her medication because of budget cuts, according to Fox 4 New in Kansas City. She said of the officeholders that cut the budget, “They can’t identify with us. They don’t know what it’s like to be in pouring rain and wait in an electric wheelchair with a lot of pain for your food that you have to eat.”
Keith Steenbergen, Springfield
Keith Steenbergen is the administrator for Glendale Gardens Nursing and Rehab in Springfield. As reported by Ozarks First, Keith said the cuts to Medicaid “starts a very difficult period for our industry” because the nursing home he helps run may have to start limiting care and even force some nurses to lose their jobs.
Carol and Russell Larson, Madison
Carol and Russell Larson, 81 and 84, think officeholders in Jefferson City who are responsible for rising prescription drug costs have “given up on our senior citizens,” according to the Hannibal Courier-Post.
