Monday, July 2, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Signs Mo HealthNet Bill, Marks Important Step Forward for Health, Wellness
Mo HealthNet Children's Insurance Program will Improve Access to Health Care for Missouri ChildrenKANSAS CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt today signed legislation to enact Mo HealthNet, his initiative to provide a better health care program for low income Missourians. In a visit to the Cleaver YMCA, the governor emphasized changes to the children's health insurance program that will provide as many as 13,500 additional children access to health care.
"We can and must find ways to make high quality health coverage affordable and accessible for all Missourians, especially for children," Gov. Blunt said. "Mo HealthNet will make Missouri a healthier place for children and all Missourians. By taking a pro-active rather than reactive approach to health care, we will give poor, elderly, and disabled Missourians a health care system they can be proud of, one that delivers real results."
Mo HealthNet changes the affordability provisions of the children's health insurance program to expand access to taxpayer sponsored health care to up to an additional 13,500 children. Under Mo HealthNet children in families who earn up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for the coverage. Missouri is among only a handful of states that covers children up to this level. Changes to the program enacted by the governor ensure that more families have access to affordable coverage for their children.
Mo HealthNet stands apart from what any other state has done or is doing. Missouri's program puts people first, increases choice, improves quality and promotes preventative care. It transforms Missouri's health care safety net, empowers Missourians to be participants and focuses on health and wellness.
The governor signed Senate Bill 577, sponsored by Sen. Charlie Shields, to authorize the improved health care access plan for Missouri. Mo HealthNet:
- Replaces the failing Medicaid system to improve health care for low income Missourians
- Delivers on the promise to create an innovative health care system to deliver 21st Century health care to Missourians
- Promotes prevention, health and wellness
- Recognizes the importance of personal attention and a personalized health plan
- Gives participants the option to choose their health care home (A health care home provides a central point of contact for participants and ensures each is treated as an individual, not a number)
- Expands health care to working Missourians with disabilities
- Expands care to foster children until they are 21 years of age
- Allows more children to be eligible for health coverage under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
- Increases health care coverage for the lower-income working uninsured
- Embraces technology to improve health care safety and quality
- Provides additional tools for furthering the fight against fraud and abuse of taxpayer resources
"This lays a new foundation in our approach to health by focusing on prevention and wellness rather than only treating people when they are sick," said Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons.
"People deserve to live better, healthier lives," said sponsor Sen. Charlie Shields. "HealthNet will provide quality care to our vulnerable citizens while spending taxpayers' money wisely."