Missouri Senate Newsroom

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    June 28, 2011

Senate Interim Committees Formed to Focus on Natural Disaster Recovery and Health Insurance Exchanges

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 Committees will focus on both short- and
long-term effects regarding these issues


JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, recently created two Senate interim committees to examine both short- and long-term issues affecting Missouri.  The Senate Interim Committee on Natural Disaster Recovery Efforts, chaired by Sen. Ron Richard, R-Joplin, was created in response to the string of natural disasters, ranging from blizzards, tornadoes and massive flooding, that has hit the state in the last several months. 

More specifically, the committee was created to examine what actions the General Assembly should take in order to best assist Missouri residents and local governments as they recover and rebuild from the recent wave of natural disasters.  Comprised of three subcommittees focusing on specific areas of response and recovery, senators will work with corresponding administrative agencies and make preliminary reports to the committee’s chairman before the annual veto session, scheduled for Sept. 14.  Senators named to the subcommittees include:

  • Subcommittee on Emergency Response – Sen. Mike Kehoe (chairman), R-Jefferson City; Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit; Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington; Senate Majority Floor Leader Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles; Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City; and Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City.
  • Subcommittee on Fiscal Response – Sen. Kurt Schaefer (chairman), R-Columbia; Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown; Sen. Dan Brown, R-Rolla; Sen. Jim Lembke, R-St. Louis; Sen. Timothy Green, D-St. Louis; and Sen. Kiki Curls, D-Kansas City.
  • Subcommittee on Insurance Response – Sen. Mike Parson (chairman), R-Bolivar; Sen. Scott T. Rupp, R-Wentzville; Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa; Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield; Senate Minority Floor Leader Victor Callahan, D-Independence; and Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City.

The Senate Interim Committee on Health Insurance Exchanges, chaired by Sen. Rupp, was created to study various insurance exchange proposals and their compliance with Missouri law.  Health insurance exchanges were formed as a result of the recent number of health care reform plans passed by other states, as well as the federal “Affordable Health Care Act.”  Exchanges are designed to offer buyers of health insurance numerous plans from different insurance providers.

Lawmakers appointed to serve on the committee will examine whether or not Missouri should follow federal guidelines and enact its own health insurance exchange.  Members include Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield; Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mt. Vernon; Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah; Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph; Sen. Joe Keaveny, D-St. Louis; and Sen. Curls.  The committee will share its recommendations on the establishment of Missouri’s health insurance exchange and its effect on state law to the General Assembly.

For more information about the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov. To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or e-mail newsroom@senate.mo.gov

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