Monday, July 2, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Signs Mo HealthNet Bill, Marks Important Step Forward for Health, Wellness
Mo HealthNet's Expanded Program for Foster Children will Improve Health Care for MissouriansST. LOUIS– 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 Epworth Children's Center, the governor highlighted how his initiative to improve health care coverage for the low income uninsured will benefit Missouri foster children.
"We are actively working to make high quality health coverage affordable and accessible for all Missourians," Gov. Blunt said. "Ensuring Missouri foster children have access to care through their 21st birthday provides them another tool to accomplish their long term goals. By taking a pro-active 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."
Blunt's Mo HealthNet plan expands health care coverage for foster children who currently lose coverage after their 18th birthday under the old Medicaid system. Blunt's plan will cover foster children until they are 21. The change is expected to benefit up to 1,000 foster children initially and many more in the years to come.
"Providing continuity in health care coverage for foster youth in transition to adulthood is a key to the youth's success," said Kevin Drollinger, Epworth Children & Family Services Executive Director. "We're extremely pleased that it's part of the Mo HealthNet bill."
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."