Many of the state’s doctors are optimistic that a change in the Governor’s office will bring them something they want – a litigation reform bill that will be signed into law. Twice in the last couple of years the Republican-controlled Legislature has sent litigation reform legislation to Democrat Governor Bob Holden and twice he has vetoed the effort. Doctor Joseph Yasso of Independence says lawmakers, trial attorneys, insurance companies, and the doctors must be brought together to address the concerns affecting the availability of health care in Missouri. Governor-elect Matt Blunt – a Republican – has promised to sign a litigation reform bill. He and the doctors say it’s necessary to protect Missouri’s physicians from sue-happy trial attorneys.
Outgoing SEMA Chief Says Agency’s Mission Has Changed
The outgoing Director of the State Emergency Management Agency says the role of SEMA has changed to reflect more than just the threat of tornadoes, floods, and ice storms. It now considers terrorists. Jerry Uhlmann is retiring at the end of next month. He says an attack on the other side of the country just more than three years ago affected how the state woud look at emergency management. Uhlmann says now the Agency has more of a tandem mission of preparing for natural disasters, as well as preparing a response should an unthinkable terrorist strike come to this state.
Elections Prove Rural Missouri Flexing Its Muscles
Rural Missouri confirmed a trend during the elections – a strong conservative leaning that favors Republicans. Southwest Missouri State University Political Science Professor Mark Rushefsky says rural Missourians have been moving from the Democratic Party to the Republicans Party for some time. Rushefsky says rural voters overcame urban voters in the election. He points out St. Louis and Kansas City heavily favored Democrat Claire McCaskill for Governor, but rural voters gave Republican Matt Blunt more than enough votes to overcome that. He says it was the rural vote that gave Missouri to President George W. Bush, helped re-elect Senator Kit Bond, and gave Republicans an even strong grip on the State Legislature.
