New Mo. Director Supports Governor’s Proposed Insurance Coverage Plan

During his third State of the State address, Governor Blunt outlined his goals, including health care initiatives to cover the uninsured in the state.

“The citizens of this state are committed to providing quality healthcare for those who need assistance,” said Doug Ommen, newly-appointed director of the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration. “Governor Blunt’s proposal for MO HealthNet is solid public policy and reflects the values of our citizens. It will guarantee that every participant has access to primary and preventative care.”

According to Ommen, the governor’s plan for the uninsured also provides six principles to increase Missourians’ access to private health insurance. These efforts include combining federal, state, public and private resources, offering incentives to employers who provide health insurance, improving laws so Missourians can take their insurance with them when they switch jobs, pooling the purchasing power of the uninsured to help them buy insurance at the lowest possible price, allowing employers and employees to pay insurance premiums with tax free dollars and committing $20 million to launch an initiative for the uninsured.

“The governor has given us a bold framework, and we will work with the legislature, consumer advocacy groups and the business community to deliver his plan,” Ommen said. “Insurance portability must be addressed in the small business market. Although the current system of employer-based insurance offers some benefits under the tax law and pooling of risk, we need laws which encourage workers to remain insured when they switch jobs.”

Governor Blunt’s initiative does provide incentives to employers, but it also allows insured individuals to take responsibility for their health care needs. They won’t be restricted to specific health care resources or limited to only a few benefits and options when choosing a health insurance plan.

“The goal is to give people a regular source of care,” Ommen said. “If people have access to affordable, regular care, they can receive fewer days of care, better preventative care and enhanced treatment. Improving these three areas can help decrease the cost of health insurance for all Missourians.”

Other proposals submitted by the governor and supported by the department include making long-term care insurance premiums 100 percent tax deductible and allowing military personnel to renew their professional licenses without penalty upon completion of their military service.

The department transferred the Divisions of Finance, Credit Unions and Professional Registration from the Missouri Department of Economic Development to develop a coherent and comprehensive approach to regulating service industries. The department implemented on-line resident and non-resident insurance producer applications and renewals to ease regulatory burden and decrease the time it takes for producers to submit applications. The Consumer Affairs Division took action against 16 title insurance agencies in the St. Louis area to ensure consumers are treated fairly and honestly, and Governor Blunt signed legislation to expand the eligibility of association health plans.

Source: Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration

Topics Missouri