Thursday, February 15, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Rolls Out New Plan to Help Cover the Uninsured
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today helped unveil new details of a plan to increase the number of Missourians who have health insurance. Joined by President Pro Tem Michael R. Gibbons and State Rep. Doug Ervin, the governor emphasized his commitment to reducing Missouri’s uninsured population.
“All Missourians should have access to affordable health insurance and this plan will help us achieve this goal.” Blunt said. “More than 5 million Missourians have health insurance, but 700,000 are yet to be covered. Rep. Ervin’s legislation would allow all Missourians, including the uninsured, to purchase health care with pre-tax dollars, ease the burden on small employers who want to contribute to their employees’ health insurance and allow employees to keep their health care plan if they change jobs. We have the opportunity to lower the cost of health insurance and dramatically increase the number of Missourians who have health care.”
The governor applauded Rep. Ervin for introducing legislation that will serve as the building block for the state’s new approach to providing insurance access and choice.
“I thank Governor Blunt for encouraging all stakeholders to come together and find a solution that will provide more Missourians access to affordable health insurance,” said Rep. Ervin. “House Bill 818 will help achieve that by reorienting our state’s health care policy toward the objectives of the individual and away from the employer, the insurer, providers, and government through portability and fairer tax treatment among all consumers of health care goods and services.”
Blunt said House Bill 818 is a significant step forward as we work to create a comprehensive program to expand access to quality health insurance and reduce the number of Missourians who lack coverage.
Rep. Ervin’s legislation includes the following provisions:
- Allows the uninsured and all Missourians to pay insurance premiums with tax free dollars just like big companies can now.
- Eases the administrative burdens of small businesses who want to help their employees pay for health care.
- Improves our laws so that Missourians can take their insurance with them if they switch jobs.
- Increases competition between insurance plans to make health care more affordable for Missourians.
- Provides increased health care choices for Missourians.
Overall the governor’s uninsured initiative combined with MO HealthNet, the improved health care system for low income and disabled Missourians, will provide health coverage to more Missourians than ever before in our state’s history.
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