Republican Representative Unhappy with Interpreatation of Committee's Role
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Republican Representative Unhappy with Interpreatation of Committee's Role

Date: December 4, 2007
By: Carly Robertson
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: The House sponsor of Missouri's new Medicaid law has complained about Governor Blunt's administration's interpretation of some aspects of the law. Carly Robertson has more from the state Capitol.     RunTime:0:49
OutCue: SOC

During the first meeting of the MoHealthNet's oversight committee St. Joseph Republican Representative Robert Schaaf expressed his concern with recent talk that the committee's role was solely to advise on health care issues. 

Schaaf's remark were in response to a comment made by Missouri's director of Social Services.

Schaaf wrote a letter to Governor Blunt expressing his concerns that the approval of the committee would not be needed in implementing new health care plans.

Not so says Schaaf. 

Actuality:  SCHAFF1.WAV
Run Time: 00:05
Description: "I believe that that would not be following the law, the law is very clear, it says advise and approve."
In the letter Schaaf also expressed concern with the makeup of the committee.
 
According to Schaaf the lack of specialty physicians on the committee does not meet the legislature's intent in having a committee.  
 
From the state Capitol, I'm Carly Robertson.


Intro: The sponsor of Missouri's new Medicaid law addressed his concerns about the interpretation of the law to fellow Republican,Governor Blunt. Carly Robertson spoke with the Representative and has more. RunTime:0:55
OutCue: SOC

St. Joseph Republican Representative Robert Schaaf expressed his concern with how some in the executive branch are interpretating the role of the new MoHealthNet's oversight committee. 

Schaaf is one of eighteen members who makes up this committee.

He says that it was the legislature's intent that the words advise and approve be taken literally.   

Actuality:  SCHAAF2.WAV
Run Time: 00:16
Description:"It means that as the department lays out new health improvement plans such as managed care or administrative service organizations providing health care to beneficiaries,different models that those models that those must be approved by this committee, was the intent.

Schaaf's remarks come after a comment made by the director of Social Services who said that the law went too far in giving the committee the power to approve. 

In a letter to Governor Blunt, Schaaf expressed his concerns and urged the Governor to follow the law.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Carly Robertson.