Governor Tours State Touting First Steps Reforms

Governor Matt Blunt tours the state, touting reforms to the First Steps education program. And, he does so not long after he underwent public scrutiny for suggesting cuts need to be made. Only this time, the Governor is laying out his reasons ahead of time, saying the program that helps kids with developmental disabilities can’t survive without some help. Blunt’s reforms include passing legislation that makes insurers pay for the first $3,000 of therapy – an idea that failed to make it through the Legislature the last time around. He also wants families to pay a co-pay on a sliding scale, ranging from $5 to $100 a month. The day-long tour began in Springfield and takes the Governor to Chesterfield, Columbia, and Pleasant Valley.