MOSP Day at the Capitol 2011

is a Success. Before dawn on Tuesday, March 15, MOSP members Julia Lamborn, Klaus Illian, Ed Weisbart and I prepared for a long day of meeting with legislators in the MO House of Representatives. We conferred with our Bill sponsor, Rep. Michael Brown of Kansas City and with our Resolution sponsor, Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford of St. Louis. Then, we met with legislators to educate them and to ask for their support. Not everyone signed on immediately, but most did without hesitation after hearing what we had to say. HB 862, the Missouri Universal Health Assurance Act was introduced by Michael Brown with fifteen cosponsors and read March 15, and read the second time on March 16. Follow the bill's progress at www.moga.mo.gov. Prepare to testify when it is on the Calendar for a hearing. It is your right and duty to participate in the democratic process. The cosponsors are: Chris Carter, Mike Colona, Tishaura Jones, Karla May, and Jamilah Nasheed of St. Louis, Jason Holsman, Leonard Hughes IV, and Gail McCann Beatty of Kansas City, Rory Ellinger of University City, Steve Hodges of East Prairie, Stacey Newman of Clayton, Mary Nichols of Maryland Heights, Clem Smith of Velda Village Hills, Sylvester Taylor of Black Jack, and Steve Webb of Florissant. Please thank these bright, caring progressives, especially if they represent your District! They cannot truly represent you, if they do not hear what you have to say. When we left the Capitol, Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford's House Resolution to Endorse HR 676 had twenty cosponsors. Rep. Mott Oxford told us she was optimistic that more cosponsors would sign on before filing. April 1 is the last day to file a House bill.

-Mimi Signor, RN