Historical October 1988 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
One of the greatest fears of most individuals is being without health insurance or not having the funds to pay for health care when it is needed.
It is startling to reveal that one in five Missourians either do not have health insurance or are without adequate health insurance coverage.
In an attempt to address this debilitating and growing problem in our society, an initiative petition campaign was instituted calling for a statewide program to give uninsured and underinsured Missourians access to affordable health insurance.
As a result of a successful initiative campaign, the MedAssist health insurance proposal was placed on the November 8, 1988 ballot.
The proposal is an amendment to the state constitution. Individuals who can not afford needed health care or who incur medical expenses not covered by insurance will be eligible to participate in the MedAssist program. Groups that will benefit from the MedAssist program include: individuals employed by businesses that do not offer group health insurance, individuals who lose their jobs and health care coverage, victims of “high risk” or chronic disorders, elderly individuals who require nursing home care or who can not afford supplemental Medicare insurance, working mothers, children and disabled children.
It should be stressed that MedAssist is an insurance program and not a welfare program.
Although MedAssist will expand the state’s Medicaid program by making more Missourians eligible for Medicaid’s medical benefits, it will not add to the state’s welfare rolls.
In fact, MedAssist will encourage people on welfare to go to work since individuals can accept low paying jobs and still have the assurance of accessing medical care. MedAssist enrollees will pay deductible copayments and premiums based on their ability to pay.
The MedAssist constitutional amendment will establish a separate trust fund to ensure that sufficient funds will be available for the program and will not be shifted to other programs. Missouri citizens will contribute to the MedAssist trust through an earnings tax.
At six-tenths of one percent of reported earnings, the earnings tax translates to approximately $7 a month for the average Missourian. Missouri businesses will also contribute to the fund by paying the same earnings tax rate. Businesses that already provide a good health insurance package for their employees will receive a tax credit against the earnings tax.
This is an incentive for more employers to provide group health insurance.
The MedAssist program provides a type of safety net for those concerned with either losing their health care benefits or not having the funds to obtain health insurance.
If the MedAssist constitution amendment is approved, details of implementing the program will be addressed by the General Assembly in the upcoming legislative session.
On November 8, 1988, I urge you to support the MedAssist constitutional amendment. MedAssist is a progressive, health insurance program whose time has come.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, October 1988.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1988_10.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
