University contributes $250,000 to Medicaid expansion

Washington University has contributed $250,000 to an effort to place a Medicaid expansion question on Missouri’s November 2020 ballot.

The university contributed the money Friday to the political action committee Missourians for Healthcare. On Nov. 4, Washington University’s chancellor and its medical school dean issued a joint letter endorsing the ballot initiative.

A university spokeswoman says the $250,000 came from funds within the School of Medicine.

Under the plan, if placed on the ballot and approved by voters, the public health insurance program would be available to those earning up to $18,000 per year. Missouri is among 14 states that have not expanded Medicaid.

Missourians for Healthcare must collect approximately 172,000 signatures by May to get the question on next November’s ballot.

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