FIRST REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 532
93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RIDGEWAY.
Read 1st time March 1, 2005, and ordered printed.
TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.
1921S.01I
AN ACT
To amend chapter 208, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to medical assistance, with an emergency clause.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 208, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 208.235, to read as follows:
208.235. 1. The director of the division of medical services shall apply to the federal Department of Health and Human Services for all federal medicaid waivers necessary to create a new medicaid coverage program that involves managed health savings accounts.
2. Beginning July 1, 2006, the "Medical Ownership Program" shall be established to bring the benefits of marketplace incentives to the state medicaid program. The medical ownership program shall be a new medicaid coverage program that integrates managed health savings accounts, personal health incentives, and consumer choice.
3. There is hereby established a joint committee of the general assembly to be known as the "Medical Ownership Committee", to be comprised of five members of the senate and five members of the house of representatives. Three of the senate members shall be appointed by the president pro tem of the senate and two by the senate minority leader. Three of the house members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and two by the house of representatives minority leader.
4. Members of the committee shall be appointed by September 1, 2005. The department of social services shall provide administrative support and current staff as necessary for the effective operation of the committee.
5. The committee shall study and issue recommendations for:
(1) Providing more personal responsibility and independent control of the health care expenditures of current medicaid recipients;
(2) Reducing the inappropriate and wasteful use of emergency room services;
(3) Implementing and administering the medical ownership program; and
(4) Coordinating with the division of medical services to ensure a smooth transition between the state medicaid program and the medical ownership program.
6. By January 15, 2006, the committee shall provide a report to the governor, the general assembly and the department of social services.
7. The provisions of this section shall be reauthorized every four years.
Section B. Because of the current medicaid fiscal crisis and the need to provide health care to Missourians in need, section A of this act is deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, welfare, peace and safety, and is hereby declared to be an emergency act within the meaning of the constitution, and section A of this act shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and approval.