Persisterhood conducts meeting to discuss local health concerns and more from guest panelists

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- At the local Rolling Hills Library from 6 to 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday, Oct 22, The Persisterhood of St. Joseph gathered to discuss local and national issues.

The main topic of their discussions tonight revolved around the local health concerns in Northwest Missouri and the impacts of the Trump administration.

The meeting featured local experts, including Charles Mullican, an instructor at the UMKC School of Medicine, Diane Waddell, a retired family nurse practitioner, and Mike Poore, Mosaic's chief executive officer.

The Trump Administration's policies, such as the 'Big Beautiful Bill,' were among the topics discussed regarding their impact on rural hospitals.

"There's a study from the University of North Carolina that actually went to Congress that predicted close to 800 rural hospitals were closed across the country because of the BBB," said Poore.

Health coverage concerns were also mentioned due to the federal government shutdown and cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, impacting Missouri.

"People are going to fall off, and we're going to return to a state that is shameful for the United States to have that large and uninsured population," said Mullican.

The meeting also touched on the recent 'No Kings Protests' and their impact, as well as having Kennedy Moore, the Senior Manager of Field and Programs from the Abortion Action Missouri network, to share the risks of the potential abortion ban in Missouri.

"Corrupt politicians are trying to trick voters into banning abortion all over again, don't fall for it, you need to vote no on 3," said Moore.

Persisterhood plans to meet on Wednesday, Dec. 12, for its final meeting of the year.