Quade: Parson decision to place Medicaid expansion on August ballot is purely political and it won't work

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, says Gov. Mike Parson's decision to place the Medicaid expansion amendment on the August ballot instead of in November when more voters will go to the polls is purely political and that it will not work.

Quade released the following statement:

“Governor Parson and his fellow Republicans have always opposed Medicaid expansion for purely political reasons, putting partisan ideology ahead of the health and welfare of Missourians. 

It took an initiative petition to remove them from the equation so voters can take this long overdue action.

“The governor knows Republicans will pay a political price for their failed health care policies and hopes to minimize it by playing games with the election date. It won’t work. 

Medicaid expansion has always enjoyed widespread support among Missourians, and right now it is more important than ever. The only thing the governor’s crassly partisan move changes is Medicaid expansion will be enshrined in the Missouri Constitution three months earlier than expected.”