The Race Is On: Beating the October 1 Deadline
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is facing a dilemma. By Wendell Potter Should he sign a bill that was intended to help many state residents get coverage for cost-effective health care that insurers often refuse to pay for? Or veto the bill because it is loaded with amendments that will benefit insurers and force many Missourians to pay far more for medical care than they do now? Senate Bill 262, introduced by Sen. Kiki Curl, D-Kansas City, would require insurers to pay the same for specialty care delivered via telemedicine as for an office visit. Similar bills have been enacted in other states, including Arizona just last month. But in Missouri, Democrats are now regretting voting for the bill because of amendments added at the last minute that will result in a financial windfall for insurance companies, agents and brokers at the expense of residents. SB 262 would enable insurers to achieve one of their top objectives: converting HMOs into high-deductible plans . ( MORE ) HM...