HB39 (Portwood) was heard in the Senate Health and Mental Health Committee. Several supporters were present to give testimony regarding the strengths of the bill. Unfortunately, HB39 has not been voted out of committee at this time. Committee members were scheduled to meet yesterday in an executive session where a possible vote on HB39 could take place. We need to urge the Committee and then the full Senate to vote YES and pass HB39 as quickly as possible. Funding is in the current year's budget for the buy-in program. Last summer, the Governor said that a Special Session was not needed because the bill could be quickly passed in January. It is now April.

Please encourage senators to support an amendment to extend the Consumer-Directed Non-Medicaid Eligible Personal Assistance Services program beyond its 2008 sunset date. Supporting the Non-Medicaid Eligible Amendment will not cost the state any additional funding and is necessary for individuals to afford needed attendant services.

MO Healthnet

SB577 (Shields) was debated on the Senate floor last week, and only needs one more vote for final passage in the Senate. Several amendments were recommended by Senators. Unfortunately, most were defeated such as an amendment to restore Medicaid services to the 100,000 Missourians who were cut from the program in 2005. The bill is scheduled for a final vote in the Senate this week.

I expect SB577 to be assigned to the House Special Committee on Health Care Facilities. Call the Chair, Representative Schaaf, and other members of the House committee about your concerns with the managed care language!  While the debate in the Senate is closing, we can still win the fight in the House!