Missouri healthcare advocate Leslie Ortbals and her husband want to start a family, but she worries they can't afford it. The 27-year-old said she takes 10 medications daily to manage multiple chronic illnesses.
Now she worries the cost of those drugs could rise -- not because of price increases, but because of a tax system revamp put on the ballot by the state's Republican-dominated legislature and backed by the Republican governor.
Prescription drugs and doctor visits are currently exempt from taxes in the state. But in August, Missouri voters will weigh in on a proposed constitutional amendment to give the legislature the power to replace the state's income tax with expanded sales taxes, including on goods and services currently exempt.
"Politicians want Missourians to trust them when they say not to worry about our medications and healthcare being up for grabs," Ortbals said at a June press event organized by Progress MO, a progressive advocacy group.
"I have spent enough time in Jefferson City to know better," said Ortbals, who works for a Democratic state legislator but was speaking in her personal capacity. "I have watched them speak about protecting life while making lifesaving healthcare less accessible."
