CHCM hosts roundtable to discuss impacts of federal shutdown in Missouri

Thursday, October 30, 2025

As Missouri faces the ripple effects of the ongoing federal shutdown, many families are confronting new uncertainty — about food access, healthcare coverage, and economic stability.

On Thursday, October 30, 2025, the Community Health Commission of Missouri (CHCM) hosts a statewide roundtable to explore how these disruptions are shaping everyday life and what can be done to protect the health and stability of Missouri communities.

Federal Shut Down Resources

If you or someone you know has been affected by the federal shutdown—through changes to SNAP benefits, health coverage, or employment—we’ve compiled a list of Missouri-specific resources to help you stay informed and connected to support.

Resources are organized by type of support below.

Food Security

Operation Breakthrough (Kansas City)
Food pantry, health screenings, immunizations, early education, and family support.
operationbreakthrough.org/programs

Phoenix Family (Kansas City)
Food pantry and housing assistance for families and older adults.
phoenixfamily.org/what-we-do

Village of Moms St. Louis (St. Louis)
Connects donors directly with community needs and families in crisis.
facebook.com/Village-of-Moms-Saint-Louis

Operation Food Search (St. Louis Region)
Food pantries, mobile markets, and SNAP enrollment help.
operationfoodsearch.org

St. Louis Area Food Bank (St. Louis)
Food and nutrition resources for individuals and partner pantries.
stlfoodbank.org/how-we-help

Harvesters (Kansas City & Western Missouri)
harvesters.org

SEMO Food Bank (Bootheel)
Nutrition assistance and Produce Prescription Program.
semofoodbank.org

Economic & Legal Support

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM)
Free legal help for housing, benefits, and consumer issues.
lsem.org

Missouri Budget Project
Nonpartisan policy analysis on how state and federal changes affect families.
mobudget.org

Policy, Advocacy and News

Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH)
Updates on federal and state policy changes affecting healthcare access.
mffh.org

Missouri Budget Project – Policy Tracker & Alerts
Timely analysis of shutdown impacts and safety net policy.
mobudget.org

Center for Health Economics and Policy – Washington University in St. Louis
Provides research, analysis, and policy briefs on healthcare access, coverage, and the economic effects of public policy in Missouri.
publichealth.wustl.edu/center-for-health-economics-and-policy

Healthcare & Coverage

Missouri Department of Social Services – MO HealthNet (Medicaid)
Information on renewals, coverage, and applications.
mydss.mo.gov/healthcare

Cover Missouri Coalition (Missouri Foundation for Health)
Free, local help enrolling in Marketplace health plans.
covermissouri.org

Missouri Primary Care Association – Find a Health Center
Map and contact info for FQHCs offering sliding-scale care.
mo-pca.org

Nurses for Newborns (St. Louis)
Provides direct maternal and prenatal care plus resource navigation.
nursesfornewborns.org/missouri

Accessibility & Disability Support

DEAF Inc. (Deaf Empowerment Awareness Foundation)
Provides interpretation, advocacy, and accessible communication services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and hearing communities across Missouri.
deafinc.org

Paraquad (St. Louis)
Offers independent living services, accessibility training, and advocacy to help people with disabilities live independently and participate fully in community life.
paraquad.org

Starkloff Disability Institute (St. Louis)
Disability-led organization advancing employment, access, and universal design for people with disabilities across Missouri.
starkloff.org

Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC)
Federally funded council promoting systems change and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities through policy, education, and community partnerships.
moddcouncil.org

A Purpose-Driven Conversation

The event, titled “Health and Stability at Risk: Understanding the Human Impact of the Federal Shutdown in Missouri,” will bring together policy leaders, advocates, and community members to better understand how federal disruptions intersect with daily realities—and how Missouri can respond together.

This cross-sector conversation aims to:

  • Illuminate impact: Explore how interruptions to federal programs affect access to care, food security, and economic wellbeing.
  • Elevate lived experience: Center the voices of Missourians who have directly experienced the effects of these policy shifts.
  • Inform public dialogue: Offer policymakers, journalists, and advocates an equity-focused lens on what’s at stake.
  • Foster collective response: Identify practical policy and advocacy strategies to reduce harm and promote stability.

Featured Panelists

Policy & Economic Experts

  • Dr. Timothy McBride – Health Economist, Institute for Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis
  • Gina Aitch – Senior Policy Analyst, Missouri Budget Project
  • Sheldon Weisgrau – Vice President, Health & Policy Advocacy, Missouri Foundation for Health

Community Systems Leaders

  • Riisa Rawlins – Chief Executive Officer, Community Health Commission of Missouri
  • Earlene Bolton – Senior Outreach Coordinator, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri

Community Experts

  • Pastor Michael Robinson
  • Shellie Robinson
  • Shanelle Woods

Media Partners
A small number of media outlets will join to share highlights and reflections from the discussion.

Event Details

Date: October 30, 2025
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Community Health Commission of Missouri
1 Campbell Plaza, Suite 2A
St. Louis, MO 63139

Discussion Topics

  • The impact of losing enhanced premium tax credits on health coverage and affordability
  • How SNAP benefit suspensions increase food insecurity
  • The ripple effects of federal workforce furloughs on local economies and public safety
  • Opportunities for collaboration between state and local partners to protect health equity