By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – St. Louis health care advocates are asking Missouri lawmakers to restore Medicaid funding to the state budget. Members of Metropolitan Congregations United and Jobs With Justice announced a lobbying campaign today(Wednesday) called These Cuts Won't Heal. Don Johnson of the Ethical Society says cutting Missouri's Medicaid program will hurt children from low income families and the state as a whole, "Surely even in a time of necessary financial restraint, we cannot morally cut health insurance access for those who need it most, and ask them to pay the cost in health and life for our balancing the budget." The group says more than 32,000 St. Louisans will lose health care coverage if the cuts go into effect. They plan to lobby legislators in Jefferson City next week.