Sen. Dave Schatz’s Column for Feb. 8, 2018

Schatz- Column banner - 021215During the first month of the 2018 legislative session, the Missouri Senate passed several meaningful pieces of legislation that are sure to help and protect many Missourians.

Lawmakers across the state, myself included, have heard from many of our seniors who were affected by last year’s changes to the MO Rx Plan. These seniors are truly among our most vulnerable, and many are making the tough choice – buy prescription drugs or pay the electric bill.

Senate Bill 563 restores the cuts made to the MO Rx Program, and removes the Medicaid dual-eligible only requirement and restores the program to all seniors who were eligible prior to last year’s budget, when the unfortunate cuts were made to the program.

The MO Rx program was created to help seniors with out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs. The Senate is committed to supporting our senior citizens in the Show-Me State. By passing this measure, we will restore prescription drug assistance to nearly 60,000 Missouri seniors who will once again be able to afford their vital, life-saving prescriptions.

I have always believed in supporting members of law enforcement in any way we can, and as a legislator, I have offered my support to any legislation that offers or enhances protections for law enforcement, firefighters or first responders. It is imperative that we protect those who protect us. That is one reason why I am happy to have seen Senate Bill 579 advance so quickly through the legislative process. Current law outlines the penalties for crimes, and allows for enhanced penalties on special victims, which includes law enforcement officers, first responders and emergency medical service providers. Senate Bill 579 ensures criminals convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical service providers serve their full sentence. This legislation is another step in ensuring we are doing all we can to protect those who serve and protect us. Senate Bill 579 went through the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public Safety Committee, which I chair and I am glad the Senate moved quickly to pass this bill on to the House.

It has been my policy to move pro-police and pro-first responder bills through my committee quickly so that the full Senate can consider these important bills.

Thank you for reading this weekly column. Please contact my office at (573) 751-3678 if you have any questions.