Health Care Policy Council
Work to retain as much federal tax paid by Missouri employers and employees
as possible:
The MO Chamber does not support federal mandates in the healthcare system
however at present we are faced with implementation of the Affordable Care Act
(ACA). The ACA gives states the option of implementing the law’s Medicaid
expansion. While controversial, Missouri’s choice to maximize coverage to those
newly eligible would result in an estimated return of $8.4 billion in Federal
funds to Missouri through 2019. These are funds that Missouri’s employers and
workers have contributed with their Federal taxes. Failure on the part of the
State to take advantage of this Federal investment increases the likelihood of
potential liability by the State’s employers for increased taxes imposed by the
ACA and the continued cost shifting of health care premiums now paid by
Missouri’s employers to cover the cost to providers of the uninsured.
Seek implementation of prescription drug monitoring:
To reduce the cost associated with prescription drugs the MO Chamber should
seek the creation of a prescription drug monitoring program. Prescription drug
abuse and diversion increases the cost associated with prescription medication.
A monitoring program will reduce prescription drug abuse and provide a means of
oversight to ensure that Missouri employers are not paying for abuse of
prescription drugs.
Oppose federal restrictions on state's utilization of provider assessments:
States like Missouri should have the opportunity to choose how to fund its
healthcare system. In Missouri, and 37 other states, provider assessments have
become a positive investment in the coverage of healthcare. Billions of dollars
are at stake and tens of thousands of employees depend on this funding mechanism
to ensure quality care and to support the workforce who provides it. While true
entitlement reform may be one measure toward future fiscal success, it is not
wise to drastically cut the utilization cap for provider assessments, shift this
cost to the states and private employers while disproportionately impacting
Missourians. Such proposals will cause severe job loss and affect the quality
and delivery of healthcare in Missouri.
Oppose making pseudoephedrine (PSE) by prescription only and continue
support for the real-time Electronic Tracking System (NPLEx):
Individual choice and competition in the marketplace are stifled with
excessive regulation. Some criminals use PSE to make methamphetamine. However,
law abiding citizens in Missouri should not be punished by being forced to pay
for a physician visit to purchase PSE. PSE was approved by the FDA as a safe and
effective non-prescription drug. The real-time electronic tracking system
provides law enforcement with an effective tool to track the criminals and still
allow legitimate patients to get PSE without a prescription. Making PSE
prescription only will also add to the healthcare costs of employers. Therefore,
we support the current system of electronic tracking.
Limit government-mandated health care benefits:
Each year numerous legislative proposals are filed that would mandate
health care coverage for certain health care benefits. While some may be
well-intended, these mandates can drive up the cost of health care, potentially
forcing some employers out of the health insurance market. The Missouri Chamber,
while encouraging decreased health care costs and increased employer access to
affordable quality health care, is generally opposed to health care benefit
mandates and provider mandates. We further encourage the review of existing
mandates.
Support an accessible, affordable, high quality health care system:
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports health care reform
that focuses on wellness and preventative care and encourages consumer
accountability. The Missouri Chamber supports the development of public/private
healthcare partnerships between providers, insurers, government and employers to
demonstrate innovative ways to help employers to provide incentives for wellness
and maintain health care benefits for their employees.
Educate and prepare for the current and future implementation of the federal
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA):
The Missouri Chamber will continue to educate and engage its member employers
and the members of the General Assembly on the pending policy implementation,
administrative oversight, and regulatory impact decisions facing the state of
Missouri due to the passage of the ACA.
Implement health information technology:
The Missouri Chamber encourages the development and usage of health
information technology to allow the delivery of health care services to be less
costly and more efficient. Such a system will allow information concerning a
patient’s health history to be readily available and will assist in reducing the
number of incidents of health service, waste, errors, fraud and abuse.
Accessibility will also lead to increased responsibility of individual health
decisions. Individual patients should also have access and personal ownership of
their health-related data in electronic format and at no time shall this
information be comprised for marketing purposes.
Expand health care consumer education and transparency:
The Missouri Chamber will work to ensure that health care consumers can
readily access health education and consumer information so they can evaluate
and compare the pricing and quality of health care services and health insurance
products, in order to make informed decisions about their options.
Oppose Pharmaceutical Marketing and Sampling Restrictions:
Oppose legislation that would add costly new regulations and reporting
requirements for the marketing of prescription drugs.
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