Missouri’s Director of Insurance is considering some ideas for dealing with the problem of rapidly rising health insurance costs. Insurance Director Scott Lakin says it’s clear some Missourians simply can’t afford the full cost of health insurance, so the state should help out – based on need. Lakin says some people can afford part of the cost of premiums, but not the whole amount, and that’s where the idea of the sliding scale comes in. The state would pick up the cost that is not affordable to the Missourian who wants to buy health insurance. Lawmakers will tacke the issue when the Legislature convenes next month.