Policy Paper Highlights Best State Insurance Programs in Country
St. Louis, Aug 13 -The Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) has released the first paper in the Foundation's "Show Me Series", a succession of policy papers that deal with major health issues in the state of Missouri. Innovative State Programs to Cover the Uninsured: Lessons for Missouri explores the programs and policies that other states have adopted in order to reduce the number of uninsured individuals. The paper also contains an in-depth look at Missouri's own experience in addressing the issues of the uninsured.
"This is the first in a series of reports supporting public discussion of alternative ways to meet the needs of uninsured Missourians," said Dr. James Kimmey, MD, president and CEO of MFH.
This report includes a synopsis of earlier studies produced by The Commonwealth Fund, which examined the strategies eleven states have used to reduce the number of uninsured residents. Despite some recent proposals to create universal health coverage at the federal level, the paper concludes that state-lead efforts to expand coverage are needed to address the existing, pressing needs of uninsured Missourians.
To download a copy of the report go to www.mffh.org/policy_papers.html. To receive a printed copy, please send an email with address information to info@mffh.org.
In late 2002, MFH established a policy area to further inform the discussion of major health issues affecting the people of Missouri. Additional MFH reports, scheduled for publication within the year, include a paper detailing the health expenditures in the state of Missouri.
The MFH region encompasses 84 counties and the City of St. Louis. Established in January of 2000 through the for-profit conversion of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri, MFH is the largest health care foundation in the state and one of the ten largest in the country. Its mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities it serves. Current assets stand at approximately $950 million.
For additional information regarding MFH, call (800) 655-5560 or visit the Web site at www.mffh.org.
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