For Immediate Release: For more information contact:
October 3, 2003 Jack
Cardetti at 573-751-3222
or Nanci Gonder (DHSS) at 751-6062
JEFFERSON CITY -- The state of Missouri will receive $938,489 over a one-year period to take the first step in addressing the problem of uninsured in the state, Gov. Bob Holden announced today. The grant from the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is part of a program for states to develop plans to provide affordable health insurance for uninsured residents. The first step calls for a study to identify uninsured residents within the state and the reasons why these individuals are uninsured.
“This grant will help us get the information we need to develop strategies to expand coverage and help those who cannot afford health insurance,” Holden said.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) will conduct the study. Using data collected in the study, the department will then determine the most effective way to provide high-quality, affordable health insurance using plans offered to government employees and other health plans as models. As a requirement at the conclusion of the grant period, DHSS will file a written report to the Secretary of HHS Tommy Thompson’s office regarding the details of the findings and proposals to increase Missouri’s access to health insurance.
“The information that we obtain from our statewide survey and the development of our plans will be sent to the federal government as a basis to help them better expand coverage for all Americans,” Holden said.
Census data show that 10.4 percent of Missouri’s population doesn’t have health insurance, based on a three-year average from 2000 through 2002. The census data also show that one percent more of Missouri’s population was uninsured in 2002 than in 2000.
For more information regarding the state planning grants to help the uninsured go to www.hrsa.gov/osp/stateplanning.
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