House Dems Call to Reverse Medicaid Cuts

Missouri House Democrats held a press conference in Jefferson City today, calling on Governor Blunt and the Republican majority to restore Medicaid cuts and instead pursue measures to fight fraud.

Democrats noted that they initially opposed the cuts that removed more than 100,000 Missourians from the rolls and today said they have since been proven right about the consequences.

"The governor's plan for revisiting the issue falls well short of improving health care access in Missouri," Rep. Margaret Donnelly (D-St. Louis) said.

“Changing the name of the Medicaid program and the agency that runs it, as the governor suggests, simply isn’t reform,” Donnelly said. “New names aren’t going to lead to better medical care for a single Missourian. Real reform requires concrete action to restore and expand health care coverage, and it must come quickly. Health care delayed is health care denied.”

So what's their plan?

In a press release, House Dems outlined said they believed any changed to Medicaid must adhere to these principles:

*Ensures that more Missourians have healthcare coverage than back in 2005, when the cuts were made

*Doesn't jeopardize Missouri's share of federal funds

*Attacks corporate fraud in Medicaid system

*Doesn't create unnecessary technological barriers to health care access

*Recognizes that access to basic health care is a right, not a reward for healthy living.

*Promotes independence for the disabled and elderly

This list of generalities is clearly a shot aimed at a recent report commissioned by the Department of Social Services, which recommends the state move towards more an incentive-based health care system.

In addition to restoring cuts, Democrats proposed two other health care proposals during the 2007 session.

From the release:

One such proposal would create the Missouri Health Care Authority to coordinate all of the state’s health care purchases and ensure the state gets the lowest prices. This is modeled on an existing authority in Kansas.

Democrats also will file a version of HB 1332, which would establish a state surgeon general to promote policies that encourage healthier living and prevent the spread of disease. The surgeon general would be a licensed physician appointed by the governor. He or she would chair the newly established Missouri Health Care Authority.

To encourage larger businesses to offer private health insurance to their employees, Democrats will sponsor legislation to disqualify companies that employ 500 or more workers in Missouri from receiving state or local tax breaks if they do not provide health coverage. The measure will be similar to a Democratic bill filed in 2006.

Democrats will also work in the state budget process to secure funding for anti-smoking programs to reduce tobacco use by Missourians, particularly teens. None of the money Missouri receives each year as part of a national settlement with the tobacco industry over the cost of treating sick smokers to date has been allocated from smoking prevention and cessation.