Nixon seeks health foundation directors

Attorney General Jay Nixon has announced that his office is accepting applications for the board of directors of the Missouri Foundation for Health to be formed as a part of the tentative settlement reached last month with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri.

Members of the board will direct the spending of the foundation funds to identify and address the unmet health care needs of the uninsured and underinsured in eastern and southern Missouri. Funding will be through the sale of securities now owned by Blue Cross.

"We welcome the applications of those qualified Missourians who want to be a part of this historic opportunity, which will address the health care needs of the underserved in Missouri for generations to come," Nixon said.

Nixon and Department of Insurance Director Jay Angoff successfully challenged the 1994 reorganization of Blue Cross, saying that the creation of a for-profit managed care subsidiary exceeded Blue Cross' authority under Missouri nonprofit law.

The agreement to establish the foundation is now awaiting approval by Cole County Circuit Judge Thomas Brown.