HB 432 -- WILLING PROVIDERS OF HEALTHCARE

SPONSOR:  Schaaf

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Healthcare Facilities by a vote of 8 to 0.

This bill prohibits health insurers, the Missouri Medicaid
Program, and the federal Medicare Program from discriminating
against any provider located within the geographic coverage area
of a health benefit plan who is willing to meet the terms and
conditions for participation in the plan.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of Unknown
exceeding $705,784 in FY 2008, FY 2009, and FY 2010.  Estimated
Cost on Other State Funds of Could exceed $131,139 in FY 2008,
FY 2009, and FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill provides choice in
healthcare to everyone, reduces healthcare costs, improves
quality of treatment, and makes sure patients trust their
providers.  The bill can prevent unnecessary medical tests when a
provider knows the patient.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Schaaf; Missouri
State Medical Association; Dr. Thomas McClain; Missouri State
Chiropractors Association; Eastern Missouri Psychiatric Society;
Missouri Academy of Family Physicians; St. John's Regional
Medical Center; Missouri Podiatric Medical Association; Missouri
Association of Insurance Agents; Missouri Association of
Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons; Truman Medical Centers; and
Missouri Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that it doesn't protect
patients but lets doctors decide if they will participate in a
plan.  There are benefits to carriers screening providers'
backgrounds and credentials.  The bill forces a carrier to take
any physician willing to meet the contract terms, raises
healthcare costs, and does not require willing provider status
for hospitals.

Testifying against the bill were Coventry Health Care; United
Healthcare; Aetna, Incorporated; Cigna; Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Kansas City; Missouri Insurance Coalition; Nancy Giddens,
America's Health Insurance Plans; Luxottica Retail; Missouri
Hospital Association; Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:19 am