Kenny O’s thoughts on Hill Day 2017 & Bill SB28

       For those of you who don’t know what Hill Day is; It’s the time of year when the Missouri Coalition for Community Behavioral Healthcare, behavioral health clients, staff and members of Friends in Action Clubhouse, and even the V.P of BJC Behavioral Health journey to our state capital building in Jefferson City. We make this trip to speak our voice on certain bills that come before the House of Representatives and the General Assembly. This year our main focus was to oppose SB28, “What is that?” you ask. Well SB28 is a bill that’s going to the General assembly. From what I understand this bill is going to mess with the way we have learned to live our lives and more importantly our medical and mental health needs, this bill will cause suffering for people with mental health disorders, substance abuse disorders, and children. SB28 is going to require the DFSS (Department of Social Services) to apply for a Global Waiver for MO health net which means there will be a spending cap on Medicaid. This means that people who are eligible for Medicaid services may no longer be eligible in the future. I urge everyone to call Governor Greitens office and oppose this Bill!! Because our lives matter!!

       Now for the brighter side of Hill Day, we left clubhouse around 11ish on Tuesday, the trip was awesome, lots of fun, singing, joking, and laughing. We stopped in Steeleville for lunch, we tried to leave Mike out of the fun, but he joined in anyway, that’s Mike for ya. I think the best part of the trip was when we had dinner, that’s when I realized I was with the best group of people that I have ever spent time with. That’s when I realized that clubhouse people are not only friends and staff, but we are one big family. Seeing the capitol was very cool and the folks we talked to actually listened to what we had to say. The trip in whole was by the far best and most educational one that I’ve been on. I also believe that our driver learned a good lesson as well, when one of our members got lost, we ended up searching the capitol building for him and his cell phone. (You know who you are!!)

       But for real please call the Governor’s office or send a letter to oppose SB28. Yours and my way of life depends on it. All the information you need is at the bottom of this article. Thank you for reading!

Office of Governor Eric Greitens

P.O. Box 720

Jefferson City, MO 65102

Phone: (573) 751-3222