We’ve learned that more and more Missouri workers have healthcare coverage these days. And many of those newly-insured are not covered by health maintenance organizations. They are being covered by preferred provider organizations. Randy McConnell of the Missouri Department of Insurance says there’s a willingness on the part of both employers and employees to pay the added costs associated with PPO’s, so they can avoid the limitations of HMO’s. HMO membership dropped by 42,000 last year. It comes at a time when the health insurance groups increased premiums by 13%.
Ashcroft explains new HMO stance
November 2, 2000 By
Senator John Ashcroft denies his support of a recent compromise on health care reform is an “election-year conversion.” Ashcroft has voted against such measures in the past. He now supports a revised version of the Norwood-Dingell bill that has been debated in the presidential campaign. He says the new bill would allow doctors to make the decisions, not government or HMO bureaucrats. Though the bill is a compromise, it still receives criticism from business groups generally sympathetic to Ashcroft. They say it would hold some businesses liable for certain health care decisions.
Carnahan bashes Ashcroft switch
October 11, 2000 By
Governor Carnahan seems unimpressed with Senator John Ashcroft’s new-found support for HMO reform. Ashcroft voted for a republican alternative to the bill that Carnahan supports. Ashcroft defends his position, saying the earlier compromise would have opened employers to lawsuits. He says the latest compromise promotes arbitration. Carnahan says if his senate opponent had supported the earlier compromise, state residents would already be covered by the law’s benefits. He calls the move an “election year conversion” and complains that Ashcroft refused to support earlier compromise measures when he had a chance.
Business lobby cool to HMO reform
October 11, 2000 By
A compromise on health care legislation is being discussed in Washington, but it hasn’t won over a critic in Missouri. Associated Industries of Missouri still stands opposed. AIM President Chris Long says the group remains opposed, because the bill still allows consumers to sue their employers over the health care they receive. And Long is unimpressed with the caps it would impose on any monetary liability awards. The compromise has won the support of Senator Ashcroft. He had opposed the legislation until now. Long refused to criticize Ashcroft for the switch. AIM is a traditional supporter of Ashcroft.
Ashcroft agrees to HMO reform
October 10, 2000 By
Just one month before the most important election of his political life, Senator John Ashcroft has changed his position HMO reform. He has agreed to support a compromise managed care bill that he had previously opposed. Ashcroft says the bill protects more than 1 million Missouri residents. He says it also gives women unlimited access to OBGYN care, and allows children to use a pediatrician as their primary doctor. He says this version of HMO reform also promotes arbitration instead of lawsuits. He refused comment on whether business groups who have supported him in Washington agree with his new position, and denies he was under pressure to compromise during an election year.
