Opinion -- Governor Kehoe Signs Two Bills Related to Farming

By Governor Mike Kehoe’s Office

On Monday, Governor Mike Kehoe signed Senate Bills (SB) 79 and 82, reflecting his commitment to protect Missouri's farmers and strengthen rural communities.

“Agriculture and rural communities are the backbone of Missouri,” said Governor Kehoe. “By expanding health care access and protecting our water resources for future generations, these bills ensure that the families who feed, fuel, and clothe this state have the support they need to keep doing what they do best.”

Governor Kehoe signed SB 79 at the Missouri Farm Bureau Headquarters in Jefferson City, where he was joined by rural health advocates, legislators, and members of Missouri agriculture community. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Kurtis Gregory and Representative Brad Pollitt, modifies provisions relating to health care.

—Establishes a regulatory framework for health benefit contracts offered by membership organizations.

—Mandates MO HealthNet coverage of medically necessary cochlear implants and hearing instruments for all eligible participants.

—Ensures patients can access telehealth services using audio-only technology and prevents restrictions that limit care to specific corporate platforms.

—Improves prenatal testing protocols to align with current medical standards and ensure timely care for expectant mothers.

These provisions will improve health outcomes while reducing barriers for families, farmers, and seniors living in rural and remote areas.

SB 82, sponsored by Senator Jamie Burger and Representative Cameron Parker, creates provisions relating to water preservation in the state. The bill signing took place at the Center for Soy Innovation with legislators, conservation leaders, and Missouri farmers in attendance.

—Creates a regulatory framework within the Department of Natural Resources for the exportation of Missouri waters to better monitor, manage, and limit the use of Missouri’s water outside the state.

—Preserves and protects Missouri's water resources for agricultural, commercial, and municipal use.

With agriculture relying heavily on water access, the legislation ensures Missouri is proactive and protective of its long-term water security.

Opinion -- The “Big Beautiful Bill’s” Impact on Missouri Healthcare

By the Missouri Budget Project

A new fact sheet from Families USA details how the pending budget bill, set to be voted on by the Senate in the next week or so, will harm Missouri’s health system, including cutting off coverage for at least 210,000 Missourians, making it harder for people to get and maintain coverage, and taking away crucial patient protections for children. The bill also drives up costs for those buying insurance through the Marketplace, skyrocketing premiums and increasing out-of-pocket costs while taking away crucial premium tax credits.

“The cuts to Medicaid and the ACA will have devastating and dramatic impacts on health coverage, care, and costs for American families, and in many ways especially in Missouri. The cuts will not just mean that tens of thousands of Missouri residents lose coverage, but federal cuts will force state budgets into crisis, forcing states to drastically scale back services, leading to closures of rural hospitals and community clinics,” said Anthony Wright, executive director of Families USA. “Senator Hawley must side with patients and health providers and plans to oppose this bill that harms access and affordability of health care for so many Missouri working families.”

“The Senate budget bill as proposed is a direct threat to Missouri's families, communities, and long-term economic future. It fails the test of sound policy and abandons the values of fairness and opportunity that should define our state's priorities,” said Amy Blouin, President & CEO of the Missouri Budget Project. "We urge Senator Hawley to reject this harmful bill and instead champion a budget that reflects the real needs of Missourians — one that invests in our health care. Missouri deserves better.”

The proposed cuts are in opposition with the voters when 82% of adults nationwide — including 67% of Republicans want Congress to maintain or increase Medicaid spending.

The Medicaid program, MO HealthNet, covers 1,268,000 children and adults, including:

—1 in 5 Missouri residents.

—573,000 children — 42% of all children in Missouri.

—237,000 seniors and people with disabilities.

Marketplace coverage, available for individuals and families who do not qualify for MO HealthNet but also do not have employer sponsored coverage, serves:

—417,000 Missouri residents.

—28,000 small business owners in Missouri and over 47,000 self-employed Missouri residents.

—About 95% of enrollees in the state who received an advanced premium tax credit to help them pay their premium.

Families USA, the longtime health consumer advocate, is organizing with Missouri Budget Project and other groups in Missouri and across the nation to protect against cuts care cuts that would force Americans to face increased costs and the loss of health coverage. The Families USA website has a plethora of materials on how its partners are working to defend Medicaid, and has facts sheets on the overall importance of Medicaid to people, the economy and the health care system, how work reporting requirements would undermine access to Medicaid, and how cuts harm families and communities.

Families USA, a leading national voice for health care consumers, is dedicated to the achievement of high quality, affordable health care and improved health for all.

The Missouri Budget Project is a nonprofit public policy analysis organization that analyzes state budget, tax, and economic issues.

 

Foundation Releases Annual Update on Missouri Medicaid

Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) has released 2011 Missouri Medicaid Basics, an annual publication providing a straightforward, factual overview of the Missouri Medicaid program, now called MO HealthNet.

The publication is intended as a resource for the public, care providers and community leaders, and anyone seeking a clearer understanding of the MO HealthNet system.

Produced by MFH’s health policy staff, Missouri Medicaid Basics provides a clear framework for the state’s Medicaid program in three subject areas:

· MO HealthNet-eligible populations.

· Programs and services for MO HealthNet recipients.

· Funding sources for MO HealthNet (state, federal, and other).

The publication offers an explanation of MO HealthNet using a variety of easy-to-understand graphics and tables. New to the 2011 edition is a collection of graphics on
MO HealthNet enrollment growth by eligibility group and region.

There is updated information exploring the relationship between MO HealthNet enrollment and downturns in the state and national economies. This year’s version also highlights the impact of federal health reform on Medicaid.

2011 Missouri Medicaid Basics can be downloaded free of charge at http://www.mffh.org/mm/files/MedicaidBasics2011.pdf. Limited free print copies also are available; contact Chris Raborn at 314.345.5576 or craborn@mffh.org.

Established in 2000, MFH is the largest nongovernmental funder of community health activities in Missouri. MFH is in its eighth year of grantmaking, having issued more than
$410 million in grants and awards to date. It is dedicated to improving the health of unserved and underserved residents in 84 Missouri counties and the City of St. Louis.