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Medicaid Commission discusses new technology

October 27, 2005
By: Dustin Blanchard
State Capital Bureau

The Medicaid Reform Commission met today to discuss some major changes to the system.

Dustin Blanchard has more from the state Capitol.

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The Medicaid Reform Commission discussed ideas from public hearings around the state -- and some from commission members.

Senator Charlie Shields recommended screening Medicaid recipients for risk behaviors like smoking.

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Contents: "When taxpayers are footing the bill for healthcare for individuals that continue to exhibit high risk behaviors, whether it be smoking or drinking or bad eating habits, is it reasonable to conclude that maybe we ought to help those people and make them go through programs designed to change those behaviors."

The commission must present reccomendations to the legislature by January first.

From the state Capitol, I'm Dustin Blanchard.

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The Medicaid Reform Commission held a hearing to discuss the program's future.

Dustin Blanchard has more from the state Capitol.

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The Medicaid Reform Commission discussed ideas to bring the Medicaid program up to date . . . and to save money.

Senator Charlie Shields says fixing Medicaid provides a unique opportunity.

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Contents: "The system we're trying to fix is not just the Medicaid system. We have an opportunity to fix the healthcare system as a whole. If done correctly Missouri can serve as a model to slow down the increasing cost of Healthcare."

The Commission's next meeting is November Ninth . . . Shields says he hopes that's when the commission will start writing its report.

From the state Capitol, I'm Dustin Blanchard

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The Missouri Medicaid Reform Commission met today to discuss how the program can save money.

Dustin Blanchard has more from the state Capitol.

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The Medicaid Reform Commission talked about how new technology can make Medicaid more efficient.

Senator Charlie Shields says the Commission discussed a number of new ideas for the program.

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Contents: "Information technology, and the impact we can have with things like electronic medical records, looking at what they call E-prescribing which is doctors prescribing medication electronically, so there's no medication errors."

Shields says he hopes to make Missouri's Medicaid a positive example for healthcare nationwide.

The commission's report is due January First.

From the state Capitol, I'm Dustin Blanchard