To The Editor,

Missouri Amendment 2, the proposed amendment to the Missouri Constitution, will be on the ballot in the Aug. 4 election. This would change our Missouri Constitution to expand eligibility for Medicaid in Missouri through the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.

This expansion of those who would qualify for Medicaid would threaten taxpayers and put even more pressure on a broken Medicaid system.

The initiative seeks to add to the Medicaid rolls persons between ages 19-64 who are childless and have household incomes of under 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

It could very well cut the services for Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens – who need access to critical health care services — because of the increased number of individuals who would then qualify for Medicaid in Missouri.

Medicaid expansion is expected to cost our state an additional $349 million each year, causing a tax increase or cuts to other important programs.

If passed, it will become a part of the Missouri Constitution, so it cannot be amended by the state legislature, but only by another vote of the people.

It is wrong to jeopardize those who truly need Medicaid for their health care needs to add able-bodied, childless individuals to compete for Medicaid coverage.

Bev Ehlen

Warren County