HB 1133, HCA 1, 2 -- HEALTH INSURANCE

SPONSOR:  Barry

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Insurance
by a vote of 17 to 0.

This bill requires a health insurance plan to provide coverage
for services rendered or ordered by a registered nurse first
assistant.

The bill also defines "registered nurse first assistant" and
requires the State Board of Nursing to specify which
professional nursing organization certifications will be
recognized for registered nurse first assistants and to
establish criteria for other registered nurses to use the title
other than through such certification.

HCA 1 -- Requires health care entities to provide coverage for
licensed physician assistants working in a written supervision
agreement.

HCA 2 -- Corrects the internal effective date, making it January
1, 2001.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of
Unknown in FY 2001, FY 2002, and FY 2003.  Cost is expected to
exceed $100,000 annually.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the State Board of Nursing has
established high standards of training for these positions, yet
some insurance plans refuse to pay for their services.
Recognition of the position in statute is necessary before some
health care entities will pay those claims.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Barry; Missouri
Nurses Association; AFL-CIO; AARP; Missouri Academy of Physician
Assistants; Sheila Dirke, Registered Nurse First Assistant; and
Carol Stinson, Registered Nurse First Assistant.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that mandating any
type of coverage takes away health care entities' ability to
manage benefits and costs.  This is a major factor in the
spiraling increases in health care costs.  The marketplace, not
the government, should determine benefits.

Testifying against the bill was Associated Industries of
Missouri.

Richard Smreker, Legislative Analyst

HB 1133 -- Health Insurance

Sponsor:  Barry

This bill requires a health insurance plan to provide coverage
for services rendered or ordered by a registered nurse first
assistant.

The bill also defines "registered nurse first assistant" and
requires the State Board of Nursing to specify which
professional nursing organization certifications will be
recognized for registered nurse first assistants and to
establish criteria for other registered nurses to use the title
other than through such certification.