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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Universal Health Care Tops Holiday Wish List For Some MO Lawmakers

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Tuesday, December 23, 2008   

Kansas City, MO - Missouri is keeping the spotlight on President-elect Barack Obama's promise to fix the health care system by building grassroots support. In the next two weeks, meetings will be held across the state to seek input on a new public insurance plan.

Governor-elect Jay Nixon has also promised health care reform, and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is the latest to sign a statement supporting a new public health insurance plan for all, as part of the national "Health Care for America Now" (HCAN) campaign.

Opponents of universal health insurance take the position that such a system would have inherent, unfair advantages, and could end up overcharging those who choose to stick with private health insurance. However, Mindy Brissey, Kansas City regional organizer for the Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition (Missouri Pro-Vote), says the state can't wait much longer for health care reform. To that end, she says, McCaskill's support is important.

"We're really happy that she has joined the campaign, since our current health care system is broken. It is crucial that there's some immediate action taken, before more people are affected by this."

In Brissey's opinion, a health care solution without a public plan is not an option. By providing a choice, she explains, consumers would no longer be at the mercy of the private insurance industry, which often determines the prices and amounts of care.

"The health insurance companies are very good at keeping things the way they are, because they are profiting from the state of health care - and, if they can deny people coverage, that helps their bottom line even more."

Along with the President-elect, more than 150 lawmakers have signed the HCAN pledge, and Brissey is seeking support from more Missouri legislators. In the meantime, the public meetings are being held to gather opinions, ideas and comments. Representatives of the health insurance industry will also attend some of the sessions, to share their input.



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