Newspapers Examine Health Care Proposals In Missouri, New Mexico

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 08 Nov 2007 - 12:00 PDT

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Summaries of news coverage of health care proposals in Missouri and New Mexico appear below:

• Missouri: State House Democrats on Monday announced a series of health care proposals that would expand Medicaid coverage and create a single statewide health authority, among other measures, the Kansas City Star reports. According to the Star, the package's "centerpiece" is a reversal of Medicaid cuts enacted in 2005 that reduced services, raised fees and eliminated coverage for about 90,600 people. The package also would create a Health Policy Authority that would oversee all state health programs, recommend ways to encourage medical professionals to open facilities in rural areas and develop plans to extend health coverage to the uninsured. Currently, state health programs are divided among several departments and have 31 different boards and commissions, state Rep. Judy Baker (D) said. The authority would be made up of an 11-member board appointed by the governor that would have an office of inspector general to investigate fraud and improve efficiency of state health programs. Baker said the goal of the legislation is to ensure all state residents have access to care. The package also includes $6 million in 2008 for smoking cessation programs and language to increase physical activity among school-aged children in an attempt to reduce childhood obesity (Wagar, Kansas City Star, 11/5).
  
  
• New Mexico: Undocumented immigrants and some legal immigrants who have been in the U.S. for fewer than five years would not be eligible for coverage under Gov. Bill Richardson's (D) universal health coverage proposal because of Medicaid restrictions, the AP/Houston Chronicle reports. Under Richardson's plan, state residents who are able to afford insurance would be required to obtain coverage and those who meet income qualifications would be able to sign up for no-cost or low-cost state-subsidized plans similar to Medicare. Employers would be required to pay into a fund that helps subsidize coverage. Richardson, who also is a presidential candidate, next year will ask the state Legislature to pass his health care proposal (Massey, AP/Houston Chronicle, 11/5).

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