Missouri Gov. Blunt Recommends Funding to Expand Health Coverage for Thousands of Missouri Children

January 9, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri Governor Matt Blunt announced today that he is recommending funding for the new provisions of Mo HealthNet for Kids that extend coverage to an additional 3,700 children who would otherwise be unable to get health coverage due to pre-existing conditions or exceeding their annual maximum coverage limits.

“As a parent and as governor, I know there is nothing more important than the health, education and well-being of our children,” Gov. Blunt said. “I am recommending funding to expand health coverage for thousands of Missouri children to ensure they have the support and resources to reach their full potential.”

The governor is recommending $4.8 million to fund this new, expanded Mo HealthNet for Kids coverage. The new program is part of legislation the governor signed that extends health care coverage to children that cannot otherwise be insured because of pre-existing conditions or are so ill they have exceeded their annual maximum coverage limit. The old health care program for children in Missouri did not allow children who were refused coverage for a pre-existing condition under their parent’s employer-sponsored health insurance to enroll. The governor’s plan and funding recommendation will ensure the estimated 3,700 impacted children will now have access to care.

“The governor’s recommendation for this expansion of Mo HealthNet for Kids will have a profound impact on improving the health of children,” said Dr. Ian McCaslin, Director of Mo HealthNet Division. “This coverage expansion will benefit fragile infants and children with special health care needs, helping them to gain access to primary care and specialty services.”

Mo HealthNet for Kids provides health care coverage for children in families who earn up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level, and Missouri is one of only a handful of states with eligibility that extends that high. Children in families earning up to 150 percent of federal poverty or $30,975 for a family of four have no cost sharing or premiums. Families with higher incomes who do not have access to affordable health insurance may also qualify with reasonable cost sharing at three, four or five percent of family income. More than 485,000 children currently receive their health care coverage through Mo HealthNet for Kids.

Mo HealthNet is greatly improving the taxpayer funded health care program for low income Missourians. Innovative solutions like a health care home, expanded access to care for foster children and increased use of technology are improving health care for participants.

Gov. Blunt recognizes health care is amongst the top concerns for Missourians, and he has worked to transform health care in Missouri. In addition to important and beneficial changes to Mo HealthNet, the governor’s Insure Missouri program will use existing resources to expand access to coverage to nearly 200,000 Missourians who are yet to be covered. Gov. Blunt implemented these valuable changes without increasing taxes on Missourians. In addition proactive and responsible budgeting allowed the governor to cut taxes on health care expenses for Missouri families.

Source: Missouri Governor

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