Offering Solutions to the Healthcare Mandate

NEWS RELEASE    ---     From the Office of Representative Shelley Keeney - 156^th District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:	CONTACT:    Rep. Shelley Keeney
April 4, 2011	(573) 751-5912

 Offering Solutions to the Healthcare Mandate 

The Missouri House this week took action on two initiatives aimed at protecting an individual’s healthcare.  The House believes it is important to be proactive and find solutions that offer alternatives to the federal mandate.

HB 423 would create a “Health Care Compact” to address the implementation of the federal mandate, by creating a multi-state compact.  Under HB 423, Missouri would have the ability to band with other states and write our own rules.

A compact is a legal device that states can use to work together aside from the federal government.  We already have compacts on issues as diverse as energy production, our border with Nebraska, and the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.  Compacts can be given legal powers from Congress that overrule federal laws, like Obamacare.

By consenting to this Compact, Congress agrees that each Member State can enact state laws that supersede any federal regulations within the state in the area of health care. This would allow us to create our own laws governing healthcare for individuals in Missouri.

The Missouri House also passed HB 475 this week which is aimed at improving the transparency of health care costs to consumers.  Consumers will have better knowledge and information regarding where they go for their health care needs. The key principles of HB 475 are that it encourages competition and improves transparency. 

The bill would require health care providers and insurance companies to release more information regarding their costs.  The belief is that by increasing the cost transparency, consumer costs would be less and quality will improve.

It’s important to remember that Missourians overwhelmingly approved Proposition C this past August by 71%.  Missouri’s Attorney General and Governor still refuse to join other states in the health care lawsuits against the federal health care plan. The health care compact and transparency legislation would offer solutions to the pending health care issue.  Both of these bills will now head to the State Senate for consideration.

Please let me know if you would like to receive my weekly updates via electronic E-Mail, by sending an email with your name to: Shelley.Keeney@house.mo.gov

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns about state government.  Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-5912.  You may write me at: Shelley Keeney; Missouri House of Representatives; State Capitol -- Room 313; Jefferson City, MO 65101-6806 or email me.