HCS HB 1898 -- WOMEN'S HEART HEALTH PROGRAM

SPONSOR:  Cooper (Zerr)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Health Care Policy by a vote of 10 to 0.

Upon receipt of federal funding, this substitute establishes the
Women's Heart Health Program within the Department of Health and
Senior Services to provide heart disease risk screenings for
women who are between 35 and 64 years of age, receive breast and
cervical cancer screenings under the Missouri Show Me Healthy
Women Program, are uninsured or underinsured, and have a gross
family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.  The
department must contract with providers who currently provide
services under the Missouri Show Me Healthy Women Program.  Any
woman whose screening indicated an increased risk for heart
disease must receive the appropriate follow-up health care
services.  If federal funding is not received, the department is
not required to implement the program.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2011, FY 2012, and
FY 2013.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill provides access to
basic health screenings specific to women's needs.  The program
will provide screenings to help prevent heart attacks and
encourage healthier lifestyles by using preventative measures.
Heart disease is the number one killer of women in Missouri and
the nation.  In general, men are considered for heart health
screenings more often than women.  The bill provides more
awareness of heart health for women.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Zerr; and American
Heart Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:12 pm