Missouri House Republicans Propose Health Coverage Legislation To Replace Governor’s Failed Proposal
Missouri Republican House leaders have introduced legislation that would expand health coverage to low-income state residents and require beneficiaries to contribute money to savings accounts to use toward deductibles and copayments, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The proposal, called "Insure Missouri," is intended to replace a proposal of the same name by Gov. Matt Blunt (R). Blunt's proposal failed to garner enough support among lawmakers.
Under the Republican proposal, individuals with annual incomes less than 85% of the federal poverty level would be eligible for coverage. Eventually, the income threshold could reach 225% of the poverty level. Beneficiaries would use a state Web site to purchase individual insurance policies with a set package of benefits. People who were denied coverage by insurers would be able to participate in a high-risk pool. The state would pay the premiums.
Beneficiaries also would be required to contribute 1% to 5% of their annual incomes, based on a sliding scale, to a savings account to pay deductibles and copays. Those who do not comply with the savings component would lose coverage. Deductibles could be as much as $2,500. The first $300 in preventive health care and two doctor visits would not be subject to deductibles or copays. The bill also would call for changes to the certification process for new medical facilities and enforce a price transparency mandate.
The proposal initially would cost the state an estimated $46 million and expand coverage to an additional 77,000 state residents (Young, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 4/7).
