As I was considering what to write for the August letter to the Network, a few things immediately came to mind but I kept returning to one thing: I’m entering my twelfth month of work and life here in Missouri. It's unbelievable that it's already been a year!

I then thought of all the changes I’ve gone through in the past year. These changes have been both exciting and sometimes a difficult part of this new journey for me. But I wasn’t the only one dealing with the effects of change that came with my move to Missouri— you all have been adapting to me and navigating this change as well. 

I recognize that change is really tough for most people, especially a change in leadership. A few years ago, when I first began managing and implementing department-wide and programmatic changes in Northern Kentucky, I read several articles on the subject. One survey conducted in the workplace highlighted this question in their summary:

When asked, "Would you rather work for change (in the workplace), or just complain?" 81% of respondents replied, "Do I have to pick? This is hard."  

So, why do most people see complaining as the easier response compared to working for or embracing change? The research tells us that it’s because as humans, we find complaining about a situation far less stressful than dealing with the uncertainty that accompanies the requisite change.  

What strikes me most about the last year is that you as a Network have not, in any way, been like the 81% of people who have a hard time leaning into the uncertainty.

Instead, you have provided support, and open, honest feedback (criticism included). You've also shared great ideas and suggestions for strengthening the Network to me and the Missouri CAN staff during this time of transition and big change. You've done all this while managing how a new person in my role might affect you and your organization. I am incredibly grateful and humbled by this, yet I’m also excited to see how we continue to manage change together over the next year as we embark on a new strategic plan and face the unforeseen challenges and changes that will inevitably come our way.  

With much gratitude, 

Missouri's Medicaid Enrollment Continues to Decline

For the past several months, Missouri healthcare advocates have raised a number of red flags about declining Medicaid enrollment in Missouri, particularly related to children who receive this critical safety net assistance. In fact, one of our partners recently reported that enrollment fell another -11,552 in June 2019 (including -9,039 kids). These figures indicate the children in our state are losing health insurance at the second highest rate in the country, behind only Idaho. 

Overall since January 2018, we have learned from our partners that:

Missouri’s Medicaid enrollment peaked in 2017 at near 1 million. But the current number of 858,077 is the lowest enrollment seen in the state since September 2014.

Read more about this critical issue here, and why advocates believe enrollment is falling so dramatically:

Missouri CAN will continue to keep you apprised of this very concerning situation. If you have immediate questions, please contact  Jessica Hoey , Missouri CAN Director of Public Affairs and Community Engagement.