FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 18, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Missourians to Benefit from Blunt’s Health Care Access Plan
Governor’s Plan Will Help Low Income Missourians & the Uninsured
JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Matt Blunt applauded members of the General Assembly for passing Mo HealthNet, his initiative to provide a better health care program for low income Missourians.
“As I said in my State of the State address, Mo HealthNet will stand apart from what any other state has done or is doing. Mo HealthNet will put people first,” Blunt said. “Mo HealthNet 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, wellness and prevention.”
The legislature passed Senate Bill 577, sponsored by Sen. Charlie Shields, today enacting an improved health care access plan for Missouri. The bill establishes Mo HealthNet, a new way to provide health care for low income Missourians that was developed with advice and suggestions from many Missourians across our state. For the first time in Missouri history, the program helps guarantee every participant has access to primary and preventative care.
Mo HealthNet:
- Replaces the old Medicaid system and improves health care for low income Missourians by giving participants meaningful choices
- Empowers participants by providing opportunities for prevention and wellness Recognizes that participants should have one central point of contact and a doctor who knows them personally
- Gives participants the option to choose their health care home (A health care home improves the quality of care by allowing participants to decide together with their provider the most effective plan of care. To keep participants healthy, a health care home will provide regular check-ups, screenings and immunizations based on individual needs.)
- Expands health care coverage to employed persons with disabilities and will cover 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)
Many features of Mo HealthNet have already been adopted in the state’s health care system and in the FY08 budget. Mo HealthNet is the new health care program which replaces the antiquated Medicaid system.
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