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Advocacy is and has always been the lifeblood of Health Forward Foundation, deeply rooted in our values of doing what is legally and morally right as we pursue our mission of making our community a healthier and more abundant place to live. Our advocacy is made possible by the promise of America: “liberty and justice for all.” We all rely on a fair and inclusive democracy that reflects the values and preferences of the many people who make our country truly great.
Today, our freedom is in jeopardy, and we hope you will join us in taking action to save it.
Several Missouri politicians, along with out-of-state interests, recently decided to gerrymander the vital 5th Congressional district, one of only two Black-majority districts in Missouri. This effort is intended to consolidate political power for a few at the expense of the interests and rights of the people. The new map, if left unchallenged, will strip power and voice from Kansas City and its surrounding areas.
Congressional district boundaries are meant to reflect and preserve communities, ensuring that residents are represented by leaders who understand and advocate for their concerns. The proposed redistricting would not only dilute the political influence of Black voters in the 5th District but also distort representation in the surrounding rural districts — undermining fair and effective representation across the region.
Given what is at stake, Health Forward has made an initial $750,000 contribution and a 2026 commitment to “People Not Politicians,” the statewide nonpartisan ballot campaign working to stop the gerrymandering of Missouri’s 5th Congressional District.
Health Forward’s contribution to People Not Politicians is an investment in all of Missouri: the people of rural Missouri who live in places where systemic underinvestment hinders optimal health; people of color whose health is shaped by longstanding social and economic injustice; and all the hardworking Missourians who do not have health coverage.
It is imperative that all Missourians who care about preserving democracy in our state support the “People Not Politicians” signature gathering effort. At least 112,000 valid signatures must be collected across the state from eligible Missouri voters by mid-December to qualify the gerrymandering opposition effort for the 2026 ballot.
The gerrymandering effort unfolding in Missouri is part of a broader effort to undermine democracy, both in our region and across the country. Similar redistricting efforts are underway in Kansas, and a resolution passed during Missouri’s recent special session aims to restrict the ability of citizens to change laws through ballot initiatives.
Efforts to support fair representation and protect the voice of the people in shaping public policy have widespread support across sectors, including business, nonprofit, labor, and faith communities in Greater Kansas City and beyond.
This contribution, and our collective advocacy work, honors and invests in the freedom-loving spirit of people in our region who have fought for democracy for generations. We hope you will join us in this effort to preserve democracy here in Missouri by using your voice and power to protect democracy in Missouri.
