Health care summit looks at increasing insurance coverage

The summit brought together industry representatives to look at possible solutions for decreasing the number of Missourians – about 700,000 – who do not have access to health insurance.

A panel discussion included a familiar face from Springfield: Rita Needham, executive director of the Southwest Area Manufacturers Association. Other panelists were Dwight Fine of the Missouri Hospital Association; Vicki Plumlee of the Missouri Association of Rural Health Clinics; Tom Bowser of Blue Cross and Blue Shield; state Rep. Doug Ervin; Joe Pierle of the Missouri Primary Care Association; Michael Murphy of Mercy Health Plans of Missouri; state Sens. Mike Gibbons and John Loudon; Kathy Osborn of the Regional Business Council; Doug Ommen of the Missouri Department of Insurance; and Jim Henderson of Dynamic Sales Co. Inc.

A major point of discussion was Blunt’s MO HealthNet proposal, which would be available to qualifying uninsured Missourians. The system would provide a single point-of-contact caregiver for a patient to see regularly, plan for wellness and assess their needs on an individual basis.

MO HealthNet also would expand the number of participants who are able to choose their own health plan or purchase insurance.