The Lincoln County (Troy, Mo.) Journal
May 1, 2012
On Wednesday, May 2, a Missouri House committee will hear state Rep. Michael Brown’s HB 1405 — the Missouri Universal Health Assurance Act — which seeks to establish a publicly administered universal health care system for the state of Missouri. Under the proposed law all Missouri citizens regardless of income would have immediate access to the newly created government insurance program. Brown, D-Kansas City, said HB 1405 would have an immediate positive impact on the state.
“The Missouri Universal Health Assurance Act would give all Missourians regardless of the amount of money they make access to quality and affordable health insurance,” said Brown, “The cost of health care is increasing, incomes are being reduced, and unemployment remains high. Now more than ever, people need a health program like the one being proposed in HB 1405.”
The Missouri Universal Health Assurance Act has garnered the support of various organizations across the state including Missourians for Single-Payer Health Care and Physicians for a National Health Program.
“HB 1405 would provide every Missouri resident with comprehensive medical, mental, and dental insurance,” said Ed Weisbart, MD, chair for the St. Louis chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program. “Missouri has the opportunity to become a model-state for a nationwide universal health care system. Under a universal system, Missouri citizens and companies will see immediate cost savings.”
In his statement, Dr. Weisbart cited a study conducted by the Missouri Foundation for Health in 2003 that claimed Missouri would save anywhere from $1.3 billion to $1.7 billion dollars in reduced health care spending.
Under HB 1405, the program would be paid for by a newly created progressive income “tax-premium” in addition to federal health grants and waivers.
“There are those who will say that providing universal health coverage to every Missourian will bankrupt our state. That is simply not true,” said Brown. “Under HB 1405, middle-class families will pay 2 percent of their income into a transparent, public health fund. The new income tax acts as a health care premium would and replaces it. Citizens across our state will see immediate savings in premium costs alone.”
According to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a Missouri family of four paid an average of $12,680 in health care premiums in 2008. As proposed by the Missouri Universal Health Assurance Act, a household with a combined annual income of $75,000 would pay just $1,500 in additional taxes each year. Likewise, a household making $250,000 would pay an additional $7,500. Both of these amounts are significantly lower than current premium costs.
HB 1405 will be heard tomorrow at noon in the Missouri House Health Care Policy committee. The bill is expected to face heavy opposition from majority Republicans who have an 8-4 majority on the committee.