Missourians would have more legal rights in dealing with their health-care companies under legislation filed today by the legislature's joint committee on managed care. Phill Brooks has the story from Jefferson City:
It was Franklin County Republican House Member John Griesheimer who put it the most bluntly. As he described the committee's recommendations, the party for HMOs is over:
The recommendations from the legislative committee would impose a number of restrictions on managed care companies. And the companies would be subject to stronger state regulation.
But business lobbying organizations already have mounted opposition to the bill. They warn that the committee's proposals will drive up the costs of medical care coverage.
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