Highlights from the First Half of Session
This week marked the halfway point for the Second Regular Session of the 98th General Assembly, and the Senate adjourned for our legislative spring break. Hopefully you and your families were also able to take some time off to spend together during the Easter holiday.
I would like to use this week’s column to highlight some of the achievements the Senate has made over the past two and a half months, as well as look ahead at what business will be addressed in the coming months leading up to adjournment in May.
Ethics reform was one of the largest goals of the Senate for this first half of Session. Tightening ethical standards for Missouri’s legislators helps to instill faith and trust in the government on the part of the public, and the House and Senate worked together early this Session to achieve these goals. By tackling ethics reform one piece of legislation at a time, the General Assembly has been building comprehensive, yet targeted plans to improve the state government’s ethical guidelines. House Bill 1979 was passed in the House and Senate, with some changes, to prevent legislators from registering as lobbyists until after their elected terms have expired. House Bill 1983 specifies that no statewide elected official or member of the General Assembly shall serve as a paid political consultant. House Bill 2203 changes the laws regarding the investment of campaign funds, which would work to curb corruption and ensure campaign funding is used for its original intent. All of these bills are subject to the Legislature’s and governor’s final approval.
Another main goal for the Senate this Session was to make access to quality health care more efficient and equitable for all Missourians. Our state’s health care costs take up around one-third of the entire budget, which is a massive expenditure. Many residents of the 33rd District know just how much of an expense and a toll medical expenditures can be on a family. This is why the Senate has especially focused on expanding health care access in rural areas of the state by reducing costs as a result of providing best practice care in a timely and coordinated manner. Senate Bill 608 authorizes MO HealthNet providers to charge a minimal fee for missed appointments in addition to creating an emergency room co-payment system. Senate Bill 607 would help reduce fraud and abuse in Missouri’s welfare system. Senate Bill 875 removes barriers to lower the cost of prescription drugs and ensures patients’ safety, and Senate Bill 621 would allow doctors to use telehealth technologies to reach patients remotely in their homes – a huge development for rural communities.
These have been just a few of the developments the Senate and House have made this legislative Session, but they are some of the most important. Improving Missouri’s ethical and health care standards is something that benefits all citizens in the Show-Me State. Moving forward, the Senate will continue to focus on these issues as well as tackling the state’s budget until adjournment in mid-May.
As always, I appreciate it when groups from around Missouri and from our community back home come to visit me at the Capitol. If you would like to arrange a time to come and visit me in Jefferson City, or if you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact my Capitol office at (573) 751-1882.