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Health Care Bill Gets Passed By Committee

February 12, 1998
By: Tristin Yeager
State Capital Bureau

Missouri's small business employees are one step closer to being able to join the state's consolidated health care plan. Tristin Yeager reports from the state capitol. Democratic Representative Tim Harlan's latest health care bill was passed out of the House Critical Issues Committee. The bill would allow businesses with 50 or less employees to join the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan. Joining the plan would be an optional decision.

Blue Cross Blue Shield lobbyist Mark Johnston says the company does not support the plan.

Actuality: johnst1.wav
RunTime: :13.413
OutCue: "...high premium costs."
Contents: Johnston says the bill won't get a random pooling of business and consumer interests and will only attract people who have high premium costs.

Harlan says the bill would provide a way to lower competitive insurance prices and help small businesses throughout the state.

State Representative Tim Harlan's latest managed care reform bill was passed out of the House Critical Issues Committee. Tristin Yeager reports from the state capitol. Harlan says the bill is designed to help lower the cost of health insurance for small businesses. The bill would allow businesses with 50 or fewer employees to join the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan. Harlan outlines his strategy for presenting his bill to the House.

Actuality: harlan1.wav
RunTime: :14.042
OutCue: "...sell insurance to the small businesses."
Contents: Harlan says the bill provides an option for small businesses since the actions of insurance companies indicate they don't want to sell insurance to small businesses.

Harlan says he doesn't expect health insurance companies to support the bill because there is no advantage for them to deal with a large group that can bid competitively.