Blunt refutes Missouri Budget Project's report

The report shows the state's economic situation worsening.

By Scott Kanowsky

Published Sept. 12, 2008

The U.S. Census Bureau released a report on Tuesday which states that in Missouri, the number of uninsured people has decreased and the median home income is on the rise, contradicting the conclusions of a report released by the Missouri Budget Project Aug. 26.

Since the Census Bureau's report was released, the non-partisan, non-profit research group and Gov. Matt Blunt have waged a battle of statements and rebuttals. Blunt officials are accusing the advocacy group of "deceiving" The Kansas City Star, which used the data in a report, into reporting "losses in health insurance and income."

In a news release, the group said Missouri is facing severe problems in health care, poverty levels and median income.

"Many families in Missouri are finding it harder and harder just to make ends meet in the face of rising gas and food prices," said Bob Quinn, executive director of the Missouri Association for Social Welfare. "These challenges are made even more difficult since Missouri's working families are actually bringing home less income now than they were in 2001."

According to the release, the U.S. Census Bureau found 729,000 Missourians were without health coverage, a 3.5 percent increase since 2001. The release also said median income was down nearly $5,000, the second-worst drop in the country.

Blunt responded on Tuesday by calling the advocacy group "liberal and partisan." His officials stated the number of uninsured Missourians decreased by 43,000 and median income raised slightly.

"Clearly, the national economy faces challenges, but it is very good news that we have 43,000 fewer uninsured Missourians and that household income is moving in the right direction," Blunt said in a news release. "The 12.6 percent of people not covered is better than at least 29 states, but we need to help more families afford their own health care coverage."

Blunt criticized the budget project's report, calling the group's findings a liberal technique to skip over the facts and "make up a different report."

The group was shocked by such harsh accusations because it has worked with Blunt on initiatives like Insure Missouri and is trying to increase the level of child-care assistants, Executive Director Amy Blouin said.

Blouin said Missourians "aren't doing well," and wants to see the representatives of Missouri unite to solve the state's problems.

"We put out information so people could come together for a solution," Blouin said. "I'm surprised the governor would make that claim."

Previous Census Bureau reports showed nearly 12.5 percent of all Missourians are without insurance and the median income in Missouri is about $4,000 less than the national average. With elections coming in November, Blouin said she hopes to see the newly appointed officials try to solve this issue.

"I'm very happy the gubernatorial candidates want to work on health care access," she said. "Education and other services will enhance the quality of life for all Missourians, and also increase economic well-being for all the state."