A parent with two children who earns more than $292 a month doesn’t qualify for Medicaid coverage anymore in Missouri. Currently there are 27,000 children without health care. According to the Center for Disease Control, Emergency Room (ER) visits increased 32% with waiting to see a physician from 38 minutes to 55 minutes since 2006. Care is delayed for everyone. Due to cost-shifting of the uninsured expenses, the average Missourian pays more than $1500 more for health insurance since 2005.
Past Republican Control of the Mo. House of Representatives has resulted in tax cuts for the wealthy and forfeited over 265.3 million dollars in matching Federal Medicaid funds by not restoring cuts. Republican Leadership voted a 14% pay increase and approved millions in tax credits to wealthy Republican campaign contributors and failed to fine employers who hire illegal immigrants. Republican Leadership also supported their wealthy campaign contributors to build their own villages and not pay property taxes like other Missourians.
I support a Budget Accountability Report Card to show taxpayers exactly how their tax dollars are being spent and giving tax credits to small business employers/farmers who offer health insurance to their employees. Individuals who do not have access to employer sponsored insurance should have access to affordable public insurance.
I recommend legislation that would coordinate the state’s role in health care to consolidate the systems spread over several state departments, boards and commissions. Kansas has already implemented such a stream-lined and cost-saving system that still protects quality. I support a system that utilizes preventive medicine, wellness (personal responsibility) care and promote use of new technology for coordination of care as well has chronic disease management.
I believe in protecting public education as a constitutional right and will strive to provide support for all to achieve their goals of good citizenship and sustainable employment. As a legislator I voted to support the A+ schools and expanded scholarship options to limit Bright Flight of talented graduates from Missouri.
The unemployment rate has reached double digits and 62,000 individuals have exhausted their benefits. Missouri’s rate of income growth has fallen below the national average and below that of almost every neighboring state. Missouri should work for economic growth to provide more employment and create a sustainable expanding tax bas to support state services. I support tax credits to create jobs that will stay in Missouri
Missouri is in a key position to develop renewable energy resources through wind, water and solar power. Scientists in Missouri are already developing diesel fuel from algae (pond scum!). I will work for development of these resources to stimulate job creation and improve the environment. I am a strong supporter of eminent domain reform and Missouri Law should make it clear that eminent domain cannot be used to benefit private parties. I will work to eliminate drive by assessments for as part of a property tax reform effort. I will make every effort to Move Missouri out of its Slow Growth and Governor Blunt’s and Walt Bivin’s failed policies and pledge to support Missourians in achieving their dreams for themselves and create a future for their children.
Abortion Rights and the Broken Promises of the Republican Party
After Roe vs. Wade was upheld protecting the right to privacy,
the Republican Party under Reagan and Bush made the promise to overturn
Roe vs. Wade.
Almost 30 years later -----Their Promise remains broken.
EVEN THOUGH THE REPUBLICANS HAD AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO PROPOSE OVERTURNING THE 14TH AMENDMENT TO MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL (as alcohol was made illegal under the 18th Amendment in 1919,) there has been neglible attempt to implement a similar constitutional amendment to make abortion illegal.
After my election in 1992 to the Missouri Legislature, I noticed a flurry of anti-abortion bills that were introduced that failed to progress under Democratic Majority. I noted that many of these bills were drafted but not introduced or progressed through the legislatures when a pro-life executive branch was in power to sign the bill into law. A well respected political scientist advised me that pro-life was a great campaign issue but not “feasible in light of Roe vs. Wade decision. Therefore anti-abortion legislation was introduced when there was little hope of passage or would be overturned by the courts. For example, some bills made it through committee to mark down “pro-life and pro-choice votes for campaigning purposes” but “ran out of time on a legislative calendar”. Some bills actually passed the chambers but were vetoed and not overturned. Some bills were passed and signed by pro-life governors, but overturned by the Courts. Despite the methods, the legislators were able to go home to their districts to tell their constituents “that they tried hard -- but they needed to be re-elected to try again" for political gain. Voters need to remember the words of Benjamin Franklin - “Well done is better than Well said”.
Abortion rates in Missouri are below the national average -- but this can be attributable to improved contraception methods that are available to those not subjected to abstinence only programs. Under abstinence based programs, teen pregnancy has increased and sexually transmitted diseases have increased.
As abortion has decreased, Missouri continues to rank with Third World Countries on Infant Mortality Rates. Over 27,000 children in Missouri have no health coverage and struggle to exist outside of the womb. There is an old Bedtime story that reveals a truth spoken by an innocent child to arrogant people in power. A Missouri child – uninsured, unable to vote and unable to care for themselves– but unafraid is crying out. “The Emperor has no Clothes!
Jan Polizzi RN
12/02/09