Increasing Access to Health Care

Access to health care is always a challenge in rural Missouri. If you’re lucky, you only have a 30- minute drive to reach a doctor. If you live in one of the more remote parts of our state, you could find yourself driving hours for health care. That’s a long drive for a simple checkup, but it’s almost unbearable when you’re in pain.

This week, the Legislature advanced two measures aimed at making it easier, and less expensive, for Missourians to access health care. House Bill 115 and Senate Bill 51, which I sponsored, both allow patients to receive care through a physical therapist without first obtaining an order from a doctor. I was the handler for a Senate substitute version of HB 115, which adds provisions expanding services available through pharmacists and nurses.

Both bills are expected to cross the legislative finish line and reach the governor’s desk soon. Together, these measures will increase access to health care in three ways:

·         Patients will be able receive physical therapy for 30 days (up to 10 visits) without first obtaining a doctor’s prescription.

·         Pharmacist will be allowed to test for and treat minor illnesses, such as flu and strep.

·          Advanced practice registered nurses will have greater freedom to provide care within the bounds of a collaborative practice agreement.

I assume I’m not the only one who’s ever had to make an appointment with a doctor just so they could write a prescription or refer me to a physical therapist. I’ve often thought the trip to the doctor was unnecessary, and life would be a lot simpler – and less expensive – if I could just get what I needed from a pharmacist, nurse or physical therapist. This legislation accomplishes that.

Allowing Missourians to bypass unnecessary trips to the doctor for routine care will save patients money and time, and will likely improve outcomes. Fewer doctor’s appointments mean less money out of patients’ pockets. We’ll save doctor’s fees and insurance co-payments, use less gas running back and forth and take less time off from work.

The benefits are especially real for rural Missourians who often have to travel long distances to see a doctor. When accessing care becomes too difficult and expensive, many families simply skip treatment altogether. House Bill 115 and SB 51 will make it easier for Missourians to seek treatment sooner, before medical issues can worsen. Preventative care and early diagnosis will help improve patient outcomes for Missourians.

These bills are not across the legislative finish line yet, but I’m confident they’ll get there. There’s been widespread support from both sides of the political fence as these bills moved through committee and were debated in the two legislative chambers. Improving health care for all Missourians is a bipartisan goal. I look forward to seeing both bills reach the governor’s desk, but I’m even more eager to see the positive impact they will have on Missourians’ health and family budgets.

It is my honor to serve the residents of Douglas, Howell, Ozark, Shannon, Stone, Taney and Texas counties in the Missouri Senate, and it’s always a pleasure to hear from friends and family back home. If I can help you in any way, please call my Capitol Office at 573-751-1882.  You can also visit my webpage at senate.mo.gov/mem33, on Facebook: @SenatorKarlaEslinger, or follow me on Twitter: @seneslingermo.