For Immediate Release:
January 12, 2006

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT EXCITED ABOUT GOVERNOR'S COMMITMENT TO HEALTH ISSUES: COMMENDS BLUNT ON PAST SUCCESSES AND PROPOSALS INCLUDED IN SPEECH

The health-related proposals identified by Governor Blunt in his State of the State speech will help improve the health and quality-of-life of Missourians, especially children, senior citizens and disabled individuals, the director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) said today. Julie Eckstein, DHSS director, said the Governor's proposals show his continued leadership in protecting Missouri's citizens and encouraging healthy lifestyles.

“I commend Governor Blunt for showing tremendous leadership and commitment in addressing Missouri's budget problems last year,” Eckstein said. “Because of his insistence on addressing and fixing problems, rather than just patching holes, we have the opportunity to fund strategic programs that will positively impact my department's ability to work toward our goal of having healthy Missourians at every age,” Eckstein added.

Eckstein said the department has already been able to make improvements due to the Governor's leadership in his first year of office, including:

• The Healthy Missourians Initiative, launched by the Governor to address the issue of overweight and obesity in Missouri by involving communities and families, employers, schools and child care facilities and the medical community.
• Legislative priorities by the Governor in 2005 that are leading to better protections of Missourians, including allowing expanded newborn testing and decreasing the production of methamphetamine.
• Planning for influenza pandemic and other natural or manmade emergencies. The Governor's Homeland Security Council has created a subcommittee to take a statewide approach involving the private and public sectors to develop plans and prepare for a possible pandemic influenza outbreak.
• Focus on increasing efficiencies in state government. The Governor's initiative has led to the more effective use of resources in the department and a reduction of administrative costs. In addition, the department last year undertook a comprehensive strategic planning process that has identified strategic priorities that will guide the department's efforts over the next several years.

Eckstein said new proposals outlined by the Governor in his State of the State address will mean unprecedented improvements in the state's ability to protect vulnerable citizens and promote healthier Missourians. Among the Governor's proposals are:

• $1 million of tobacco-settlement money to be used to prevent young people from smoking and to provide current smokers with assistance to stop. “To reduce the state's rate of tobacco use we must focus on preventing young people from starting in the first place,” Eckstein said. “We will put these funds to good use.”
• More than $2.6 million and 48 new staff to inspect nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. “These new resources will greatly improve our ability to protect senior and disabled Missourians who reside in residential care facilities,” Eckstein said.
• Funds to increase the pay of in-home workers by $1 per hour, which follows an increase last year. “Seniors and disabled individuals are dependent on quality, dependable employees providing services in their homes; higher pay will help attract and keep good employees,” Eckstein said.
• Increased funds to provide additional home-delivered meals, including $600,000 in general revenue. “Home-delivered meals can mean the difference between an individual being able to remain in his own home or having to move to a long-term care facility,” Eckstein noted.
• Increased funds to provide medicines for people with HIV and AIDS. “It is important that people with HIV and AIDS receive early treatment to reduce the spread of the disease to others and to stop the progression of the disease,” Eckstein said.