State Issues:
Committee Hearings
There are two committee hearings of interest on Tuesday, the Senate Small Business Industry, and Insurance Committee with hear SB 169 sponsored by Senator Shoemyer. This bill would require that insurance salesmen who are selling Medicare Advantage plans disclose included health providers in their area, that it is not a Medigap plan, and give a 2 day waiting period from the time of solicitation to the time of sale.
The Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee will also meet this week to hear two bills on the No-Call List. SB 43, by Senator Pearce would include cellular phones, faxes and text messages into the No-Call List. SB 65, by Senator Rupp, has the same provisions, but also would require that political phone calls include a “paid for by” disclaimer.
Health Care
The Governor’s Supplemental Budget includes funds to eliminate premiums for children in the SCHIP program with family incomes are below 225% of the Federal Poverty Level. From 225% FPL to 300% FPL, the premium will be a flat $50 per month. Additional funds are also appropriated for outreach and enrollment. Further, he has proposed in his FY10 Budget an increase in Medicaid enrollment to 35,000 healthy adults with incomes below 50% FPL.
Budget
The Governor presented his State of the State last week. He presented both his Supplemental Budget for FY09 and his regular State Budget for FY10. He announced drastic cuts to cover this year’s deficit, including a staffing cut of 1,300 FTEs. He also announced economic stimulus measures including an increase in the Quality Job Act and expansions in SCHIP and Medicaid.
Housing (Foreclosure Prevention)
Senator Justus has joined Representative Meiners in sponsoring legislation to fund the Missouri Housing Trust Fund. Senator Justus’ bill, SB 268, also includes the $1 for County Recorders, but the remaining $6 of the increase will not go to homeless programs, only to construction and foreclosure prevention. The limits on income are also lifted considerably. This appears to be a compromise with the Home Builders Association and perhaps the realtors. It is unclear yet whether they will be supportive.
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