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Our Mission

Our Mission

Consumers Council of Missouri builds on its foundation, laid in 1971, to educate consumers statewide and advocate for their collective interests through leadership and partnerships on issues such as utility rates, health care access, personal finance, and others as they arise.

Become an Advocate for Economic Justice in Missouri!

Join the Consumers Council and help our collective voice be heard.

Summary of Final Decision - Ameren Missouri Electric Rate Case

Spire Local Public Hearings
June 2-5, 2025

Our Main Issues

Consumers Council of Missouri continues to build on five decades of educating and advocating for the people across the state of Missouri. In addition to these areas of focus, we address other issues that arise relating to communities that have long been the target of structural oppression.

Utilities

Advocating for ratepayer-friendly utility policies and ensuring that consumers have a voice in monopoly marketplaces.

Personal Finance

Fighting predatory banking practices while working to provide financial literacy in a state with more payday lenders than McDonald’s.

Healthcare

Working to expand health care access to all Missourians and to ensure that healthcare plans are priced fairly.

Speaking Truth
To Power

Meet Alberta Slavin, founder of the consumer movement in Missouri in the 1970s. Alberta was appointed by Gov. Teasdale as the first consumer advocate to head the Missouri Public Service Commission, and later became the “On Your Side” consumer reporter for CBS, Channel 4.

I believe ordinary citizens, banding together, can make a difference.

Featured News

Jacqueline Hutchinson - Advocating for Equity

The Latest from Facebook

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St. Louis Universities Physicians Groups Sued Nearly 1,000 Patients Over Medical Debt

A study conducted by Mary Shannon and Kathryn Koch—and published in JAMA Network Open—found that SLU and WashU sued nearly 1,000 patients over medical debt between January 2020 and May 2023.

-Wage garnishments were issued against employees of the universities and local health systems.

-Most cases ended in default judgments.

-Majority-black zip codes accounted for 41% of lawsuits and 48% of garnishments but only make up 22% of the region’s population.

-Over one $1 million in judgements were pursued.

-The smallest debt pursued was $104

The study highlights how even non-profit institutions, despite tax exemptions for charitable missions, contribute to economic and health disparities through aggressive debt collection.

🔗 tinyurl.com/3zbtkrh2

#ConsumersCouncilofMissouri #HealthJustice #EndMedicalDebt #MedicalDebt #HealthEquity #StLouis
... See MoreSee Less

St. Louis Universities Physicians Groups Sued Nearly 1,000 Patients Over Medical Debt 

A study conducted by Mary Shannon and Kathryn Koch—and published in JAMA Network Open—found that SLU and WashU sued nearly 1,000 patients over medical debt between January 2020 and May 2023.

 -Wage garnishments were issued against employees of the universities and local health systems. 

-Most cases ended in default judgments. 

-Majority-black zip codes accounted for 41% of lawsuits and 48% of garnishments but only make up 22% of the region’s population. 

-Over one $1 million in judgements were pursued. 

-The smallest debt pursued was $104 

 The study highlights how even non-profit institutions, despite tax exemptions for charitable missions, contribute to economic and health disparities through aggressive debt collection. 

 🔗 https://tinyurl.com/3zbtkrh2

#ConsumersCouncilofMissouri #HealthJustice #EndMedicalDebt #MedicalDebt #HealthEquity #StLouisImage attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment

🍷 Great wine, great people, and powerful conversations! Thanks to all who joined us at Parker’s Table on June 27 to support our utility advocacy. 💙 #ParkersTable #ConsumersCouncilMO ... See MoreSee Less

💧 Water is a Right — Not a Luxury 💧

In St. Louis City, too many residents are facing a broken water system—and Consumers Council of Missouri is working to change that.

Over the past year, we’ve listened to voices from neighborhoods like Hyde Park, The Ville, and Southside Wellness Center, and here’s what we’ve heard:

🔹 Flat-rate billing that doesn’t reflect actual water usage
🔹 No real voice in how rates are set
🔹 Lead pipe concerns and confusion over homeowner vs. city responsibility
🔹 Cost barriers to switching from flat-rate to metered billing

With support from Missouri Foundation for Health, we’re pushing the City of St. Louis Water Division to:

✅ Move toward metered billing with income-based assistance
✅ Conduct a cost of service study (the last one was done in 1958!)
✅ Build in public input for any rate changes
✅ Ensure transparency and accountability in all water decisions

We’re not just collecting stories—we’re organizing for real change.

👉 Follow Consumers Council of Missouri for updates on how you can get involved in fixing St. Louis’s water system.

#WaterJustice #STLWater #AffordableUtilities #consumerscouncilmo
... See MoreSee Less

💧 Water is a Right — Not a Luxury 💧

In St. Louis City, too many residents are facing a broken water system—and Consumers Council of Missouri is working to change that.

Over the past year, we’ve listened to voices from neighborhoods like Hyde Park, The Ville, and Southside Wellness Center, and here’s what we’ve heard:

🔹 Flat-rate billing that doesn’t reflect actual water usage
🔹 No real voice in how rates are set
🔹 Lead pipe concerns and confusion over homeowner vs. city responsibility
🔹 Cost barriers to switching from flat-rate to metered billing

With support from Missouri Foundation for Health, we’re pushing the City of St. Louis Water Division to:

✅ Move toward metered billing with income-based assistance
✅ Conduct a cost of service study (the last one was done in 1958!)
✅ Build in public input for any rate changes
✅ Ensure transparency and accountability in all water decisions

We’re not just collecting stories—we’re organizing for real change.

👉 Follow Consumers Council of Missouri for updates on how you can get involved in fixing St. Louis’s water system.

#WaterJustice #STLWater #AffordableUtilities #consumerscouncilmo
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