There are many ways in which the anti-poverty issues that Empower Missouri works on intersect. Repealing the SNAP ban for people with past drug felony convictions has been a core advocacy issue for the Food Security Coalition and Community Justice Coalition for many years, and we are excited to report on some major bill movements...Read More

Date: February 12th, 2024To: Chairman Haden and Members, House Healthcare ReformFrom: Mallory Rusch, Executive Director, Empower MissouriRe: Our support for HB 1918 and HB 2626 Empower Missouri has spent more than 120 years fighting poverty in Missouri. Today, we come to present testimony on a bill which specifically targets our neighbors with the lowest incomes....Read More

Date: January 16th, 2024 To: Representative Haden and Members, House Committee on Healthcare Reform From: Mallory Rusch, Executive Director at Empower Missouri Re: Our support for HB 2190 I ask that you vote ‘do pass’ on HB 2190. This bill requires insurance companies to cover a full year of oral contraception, after a doctor prescribes...Read More

A bipartisan group of Missouri lawmakers have proposed evidence-based policy that will help close to half of Missouri’s growing families. They seek to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to a full year – to give one year of uninterrupted access to healthcare after a person’s pregnancy ends.   Despite the fact that the bills...Read More

As I look back in my life, one specific policy has impacted nearly every decision I’ve ever made: Healthcare. I was a single mom during Obama’s first campaign. I worked two jobs which barely covered rent. Even while working more than 40 hours a week in a hospital, I didn’t have healthcare. I pieced together...Read More

Beginning in January 2022, Empower Missouri is proud to announce that we’ll be joining The Right Time Initiative as a community mobilization partner.  The Right Time is a multi-year initiative, funded by Missouri Foundation for Health, that is based on the simple belief that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue the future they want,...Read More

The Missouri legislature will return to Jefferson City at noon today for a special session called yesterday by Governor Mike Parson.  Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know: Why did the Governor call a special session?  During the regular session, the legislature failed to reauthorize something called the Federal Reimbursement Allowance, better...Read More

2020 has been shaping up to be a tough year for many of us. The coronavirus and social distancing guidelines and recommendations have kept us from seeing and being around our loved ones. The isolation has led to anxiety, and for some, even depression, but the unexpected changes have made us realize just how unprecedented...Read More

Think about a great customer experience you had recently. For me, it was when I was shipped the wrong-sized winter boots. I called the company and explained the issue, and within two business days, a new pair of boots and a return shipping label were sent to my apartment. Easy. In our digital age, it’s...Read More

On Tuesday, October 8th, The Subcommittee on Health Care Reform held a hearing for “Discussion on Medicaid and Medicaid expansion.” Rep. Helms from District 135 in Springfield is the chair of the committee. I testified on behalf of Empower Missouri, and you can find a copy of my testimony here. You can find our full...Read More