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Your State Representative will play a key role in determining the fate of HCS HB 700;
contact him/her NOW!
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The House Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability has approved a major reform of Medicaid - HCS HB 700. The bill will now be considered by the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee must approve the bill before it can be considered by the full House of Representatives.
By passing HCS HB 700, Missouri has an opportunity to transform its Medicaid program while drawing down significant federal funds to expand health coverage to some of Missouri's poorest citizens.
HCS HB 700 empowers individuals to take responsibility for their own healthcare; at the same time, health coverage at affordable cost-sharing rates is made available for the first time to many working Missourians. The legislation also includes strong pro-life protections.
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| A STRONG PRO-LIFE BILL |
The Missouri Catholic Conference has worked closely with the sponsor of HCS HB 700, State Representative Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City), to ensure the legislation has strong pro-life protections. HCS HB 700 explicitly prohibits funding of abortions, except to save the life of the mother.
HCS HB 700 provides robust health coverage for pregnant women and their unborn children. The Show-Me Healthy Babies Program is established to ensure quality prenatal care, which promotes healthy outcomes for both mothers and their unborn children.
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| SELF-RESPONSIBILITY AFFIRMED |
HCS HB 700 requires people to obtain health coverage through their employer or through the insurance marketplace, if they can afford it. Premium subsidies are offered to help lower income people pay for insurance plans. There are incentives to encourage people to access health services prudently rather than using emergency rooms for minor illnesses that are best addressed by a family doctor.
No government program, including Medicaid, can be effective if people themselves refuse to take some responsibility for their own healthcare. HCS HB 700 upholds principles found in Catholic teaching that call on individuals to take responsibility for their own health and the health of their family.
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| CARING FOR THE LEAST AMONG US |
HCS HB 700 ensures health coverage is made available to some of our poorest citizens. At present, a mother with two children is normally not eligible for Medicaid health coverage if her annual income exceeds $4,584. HB 700 raises the eligibility level for that mother with two children to the federal poverty line, or an annual income of $19,530.
What will this mean? This will allow many working mothers for the first time to qualify for health coverage. At the present time, many of these mothers work two or more jobs and their employer either does not offer a health plan for them or they cannot afford it. HB 700 therefore will reward work and uphold the dignity of all working people.
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| ADDRESSING A LOOMING CRISIS |
HCS HB 700 addresses a looming crisis threatening Missouri healthcare providers. Over the next several years, hospitals will see major cuts in the federal funds they receive for providing uncompensated care to the indigent.
Congress cut these funds under the assumption that Medicaid payments for patients would take up the slack. But if the general assembly fails to pass HCS HB 700 (or similar legislation) those federal Medicaid dollars will not be available and some hospitals could close.
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| WHAT YOU CAN DO |
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The Rules Committee has the authority to move HCS HB 700 quickly to the House floor, but this committee could also delay the bill. You have received this alert because your state representative serves on the Rules Committee or is Tim Jones, the House Speaker, or John Diehl, the Majority Floor Leader. The House leadership and the Rules Committee will play a major role in determining the fate of this legislation.
- Contact your state representative immediately (see contact information in upper left corner)
- Forward this alert to friends and family and ask them to contact their state representative
- Report back to the MCC on what your representative is saying
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