Sample Letters

Short Version:

Dear Editor:

Today, more than 719,000 Missourians — most of whom are working adults — are without health coverage because they are not offered a plan by their employer or cannot afford health insurance in the marketplace.

During the past legislative session, the Missouri Senate overwhelming approved a plan that would have expanded health care coverage and access for Missourians. Unfortunately, the Missouri House never voted on the bill during the last week of session. This inaction from House leaders will only erode the health of our neighbors and co-workers and increase the costs of care for all.

Sincerely,

Medium Version:

Dear Editor:

A number of studies show that health insurance coverage has a significant effect on individual health. However, the problem of the uninsured affects us all. The increasing number of the uninsured raises health care costs for everyone, saps resources from important emergency care services and reduces workers’ productive capacity. It’s clear that we all have a stake in fixing the system.

During the past legislative session, the Missouri Senate overwhelming approved a plan that would have expanded health care coverage and access for Missourians. It would have created an important bridge for working adults who make too much to enroll in Missouri’s MO HealthNet program but not enough to afford private insurance from the marketplace. This is especially significant because it would have created a new option for individuals to obtain affordable coverage who are not offered employer-sponsored insurance.

Unfortunately, the Missouri House never voted on the bill during the last week of session. This inaction from House leaders will only erode the health of our neighbors and co-workers and increase the costs of care for all.

During next year's legislative session, I encourage our leaders in Jefferson City to address our state’s health coverage crisis. This discussion offers an important step forward for both the uninsured and our state.

Sincerely,

Long Version:

Dear Editor:

More than 719,000 Missourians have no health insurance. Most of our state’s uninsured are working adults who lack employer-sponsored coverage and the means to purchase health insurance in the marketplace. However, the costs of this crisis are not solely theirs. The burden of lack of access to adequate coverage and the costs to the economic health communities reaches us all.

The research is clear. Twenty percent of those without health insurance — compared to 3 percent with insurance —don’t obtain necessary care for serious medical conditions. As a result, when the uninsured are admitted to a hospital, it is for a more serious mix of diseases and conditions than those with insurance. We all share in the economic and societal costs of this broken system.

The crisis of the uninsured also weakens our economy. Poor health has been linked to workplace absenteeism and reduced productivity. Further, research indicates that sick workers are more likely to quit work or retire early than those in better health.

The cost of Missouri’s uninsured is simply too high.

During the past legislative session, the Missouri Senate overwhelming approved a plan that would have expanded health care coverage and access for Missourians. It would have created an important bridge for working adults who make too much to enroll in Missouri’s MO HealthNet program but not enough to afford private insurance from the marketplace. This is especially significant because it would have created a new option for individuals to obtain affordable coverage who are not offered employer-sponsored insurance.

Unfortunately, the Missouri House never voted on the bill during the last week of session. This inaction from House leaders will only erode the health of our neighbors and co-workers and increase the costs of care for all.

When individuals have insurance, they are able to access more affordable and appropriate primary-care in their physician’s office. This improves health and reduces costs — for them and the community. During the next legislative session, we need to address the health insurance crisis in Missouri. Failure to do so will only prove more costly to all Missourians.

Sincerely,