Monday, March 19, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Hosts Summit Focused on Improving Health Care Access, Quality
ST. LOUIS–Gov. Matt Blunt today hosted a Summit on Health Care Access and Affordability where he and health care providers discussed potential solutions to decrease the number of Missourians who do not have access to health insurance.
"We must find solutions that improve Missourians' access to quality, affordable health care," Blunt said. "We are transforming our state's health care system to provide greater access and more affordable choices for Missourians."
The summit brought together employers, providers, insurers, and consumers to share their perspectives and ideas for reducing Missouri's uninsured population. There are approximately 700,000 Missourians who lack access to quality and affordable health care.
The summit included a panel discussion featuring: Rita Needham with the Southwest Area Manufacturers Association, Dwight Fine with the Missouri Hospital Association, Vicki Plumlee with the Missouri Association of Rural Health Clinics, Tom Bowser with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Representative Doug Ervin, Joe Pierle with the Missouri Primary Care Association, Michael Murphy with Mercy Health Plans of Missouri, Senator Mike Gibbons, Senator John Loudon, Kathy Osborn with the Regional Business Council, Doug Omen with the Missouri Department of Insurance, and Jim Henderson with Dynamic Sales Co., Inc.
Blunt is leading the charge to create a new health care system in Missouri with his Mo HealthNet proposal that will put people first and improve the health of our most vulnerable citizens by making them active participants in their health care decisions. HealthNet will provide participants the option to choose a health care home that gives them one central point of contact with a provider who knows them personally. The health care home improves quality of care, allows participants to decide together with their provider the most effective treatments, focuses on health by providing access to regular check-ups, screenings and immunizations based on their needs.
Mo HealthNet will also empower participants to make their own health care choices by significantly expanding the number of participants who are allowed to choose their own health plan or purchase health insurance.
The governor is working with stakeholders to create a comprehensive program to expand access to quality health insurance and reduce the number of Missourians who lack coverage. He has emphasized six principles to help increase the number of Missourians who have health insurance. They include:
- Combining various resources - federal and state, public and private - to lower the price of insurance.
- Offer incentives to employers that provide health insurance such as the governor's franchise tax cut proposal for employers who offer health insurance for their workers.
- Improve our laws so that Missourians can take their insurance with them when they switch jobs.
- Pool the purchasing power of the uninsured to help them buy insurance at the lowest possible cost.
- Allow employers and employees to pay insurance premiums with tax free dollars.
- Invest $20 million to help launch this initiative, taking all of these principles into account.