Protesters hold mock funeral for Medicaid (MO)

[struggle4progress]

HEATHER J. CARLSON

Associated Press


JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Clad in black and carrying fake coffins, protesters gathered at the Capitol on Friday for a mock funeral for the state's Medicaid program, which was cut in the budget passed a day earlier by lawmakers.

About 100 protesters circled the Capitol in a funeral procession led by someone dressed as the Grim Reaper and pallbearers clutching makeshift coffins with the words "Blunts Budget Cuts Will Kill People" painted on the side. The protesters then assembled in front of the governor's office inside the Capitol for the fake funeral.

In an opening prayer, the Rev. James Morris called on the governor not to sign the budget passed by the Legislature. But Blunt had issued a news release shortly before that lauding the budget.

"We come here today to say to this governor that his cuts don't only cut, they kill," said Morris, a pastor at Lane Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in St. Louis. "Move on Gov. Blunt's heart, move on this Statehouse. Oh God, let them know you are not pleased about the cuts that have been made." <snip>

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/11583884.htm

[Sugarbleus]

1. How very sad and disturbing all of this is... I'm sorry for

the people of MO. Cuts are happening across the country. I thought we had that resolved in march during the budget hearings. I thought the congress voted DOWN the budget cuts to Medicaid.

I'm am so confussed and so frightened.

[struggle4progress]

2. I've always found that taking action helps combat confusion and fear.