Health Care Transformation
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Health Care Transformation

Date: April 1, 2008
By: Erika Navarrete
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB 1283

Intro: After months of delay, Missouri legislators finally got around to hearing the governor's plan for expanding health care.

Erika Navarrete (Nahv-ah-rett) has more from Jefferson City.

RunTime:0:24
OutCue: SOC Missouri legislators were urged to consider a bill that would expand health care for lower income families under the Insure Missouri plan. The plan would make many transformations to Missouri's health care system including coverage for 200,000 uninsured Missourians. Julie Eckstein, Director for the Center for Health Transformation says she's a passionate supporter of the bill.
Actuality:  JULIE.WAV
Run Time: 00:10
Description: "We'd have an outcry in this nation if we lost a plane everyday, but we don't have an outcry in this nation about health and it's becoming more and more of an issue for people and I think they're starting to see it."  

Eckstein also said Missouri is in the dark ages when it comes to transforming health care.

Two people testified against the bill and the committee took no immediate action.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Erika Navarrete, KMOX News. 

Intro: Two witnesses testified against the governor's plan to expand health care during Tuesday's Senate Health Committee hearing.

Erika Navarrete (Nahv-ah-rett) has more from the state capitol.


OutCue: SOC

The bill would grant eligibility to an individual who doesn't have access to employer sponsored insurance as a requirement.

Ruth Ehresman, Director of Health and Budget Policy for the Missouri Budget Project, says this requirement is a barrier for low income people who wouldn't be able to afford it.

Ehresman also said this would not be a successful approach for the low income population.

 

Actuality:  ERES.WAV
Run Time: 00:14
Description: "Low income parents don't fit the typical profile of people who use the consumer directed health plans. Low income families have little to gain as far as tax incentives."  

Eight people testified in favor of the bill and the committee took no immediate action.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Erika Navarrete, KMOX News.