St. John’s sends representatives to Capitol

Vickie Keeney, director of mission services and Michael W. Merrigan, general counsel, joined 31 other hospital representatives from across the country urging members of Congress to consider alternatives to the health care program that has seen a surge in prescription and long-term care costs in recent years.

The July 12 trip coincided with a meeting of a federal commission that is studying short- and long-term reform to Medicaid. Hospital representatives asked the commission to consider implementing federal tax credits for low-income individuals who purchase health insurance and for people who purchase private, long-term care insurance.

Hospital representatives also asked legislators to continue opposing specialty hospitals, which they say negatively impact the financial well-being of community hospitals.

Keeney said she felt the trip was a success, and it reinforced her opinion that Missouri legislators are doing their best to help health care professionals.

“Medicaid won’t be fixed immediately – it took a long time to get to the point that we’re at,” she said. “But I do think they’re trying very diligently to listen to those of us that are directly involved with health care.”