Missouri saw one of the nation’s steepest drops in ACA marketplace enrollment, with experts pointing to rising costs as a key factor. While the drop in Kansas was not as large, more than 20% of those enrolled left the marketplace.
Meg Cunningham
Meg Cunningham is The Beacon’s rural health reporter. She graduated from the Missouri School of Journalism, where she covered state government and health. She spent roughly three years covering national politics, including the 2018 and 2020 elections, at ABC News in Washington. She’s spent over five years covering politics and policy, with the last three of those years focused on Missouri state government, developing expertise on state policy and agencies, democracy and representation, and health outcomes in Missouri. She grew up in the Kansas City suburbs.
Posted inHealth
Older Missourians who are homeless for the first time point to weaknesses in support systems
A survey by local homelessness outreach group CoMo Mobile Aid and researchers at the University of Missouri found many people experiencing homelessness in Columbia are over 50 and homeless for the first time. Experts say the data follows national trends.
Posted inHealth
Missouri one of six states planning to use AI to manage Medicaid work requirements
As Missouri prepares for Medicaid work requirements under H.R. 1, officials say artificial intelligence could help answer questions, process documents and automate parts of the program.
Posted inHealth
Missouri lawmakers pass sweeping healthcare changes in 2026 legislative session
The Missouri General Assembly passed a number of changes to healthcare in the state, including expanded contraceptive access, doula coverage, 340B drug protections and ambulance district reforms.
Posted inState Government
Under White House pressure, Missouri speeds up effort to find Medicaid fraud
Missouri officials say an expanded drive to revalidate providers will help stop fraud before it can begin, though critics warn that the federal government should take a more collaborative approach with states.
Posted inRural
Central Missouri’s Fitzgibbon Hospital files bankruptcy, highlighting growing strain on rural hospitals
Fitzgibbon Hospital will remain open during Chapter 11 proceedings and while a sale to a private buyer is finalized, but years of losses and cuts to services reflect challenges facing rural healthcare providers.
Posted inHealth
Rural lifeline or potential monopoly? MU Health Care plan would allow expansion even if competition shrinks
Proposed legislation would give MU Health Care broad freedom to expand across 25 mid-Missouri counties. Experts warn it may not be needed for rural hospital acquisitions and could harm competition.
Posted inRural
Rehab or license plate readers: Counties are spending Missouri’s $900 million opioid settlement in wildly different ways
Some communities are using their share of opioid settlement funds on treatment, transportation and recovery, while others are investing in D.A.R.E. programs and law enforcement, or not spending the money at all.
Posted inRural
Tenants unions gain ground across Missouri as renters fight for affordable housing
Renters across Missouri are forming tenants unions to fight rent increases, evictions and limited affordable housing options.
Posted inHealth
Sticker shock: Missourians gamble on higher out-of-pocket costs for their Affordable Care Act plans in 2026
Bronze plan selections surge in Missouri’s Affordable Care Act marketplace for 2026, new data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services show.