Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed into law several health care-related bills that will offer state citizens extra protections, expanded access to services, information on certain medical issues, and more assistance for abused children. The laws include:

--SB 583 provides several insurance protections, including allowing a health benefit plan enrollee to receive informational documents in a printed or electronic format. In addition, a health benefit plan must cover adopted children of an insured on the same basis as other dependents. Another protection provides that if a long-term insurance or Medicare supplement premium is canceled, the insurer must refund the unearned portion of any premium paid beyond the month in which the cancellation is effective.

--HB 1977 repeals several provisions relating to an ambulance service's use of differing levels of emergency medical technicians (EMTs). According to the Governor's website, HB 1977 will allow ambulance services to hire intermediate-level emergency medical technicians in addition to the advanced-level EMT-paramedics currently utilized. The new law is to improve emergency services in rural Missouri by expanding the role of the EMT-Intermediate and thereby increasing numbers of EMTs available. The bill also requires all basic life support ambulances and stretcher vans to be equipped with an automated external defibrillator and be staffed by at least one individual trained in the use of an automated external defibrillator.

--HB 1375 requires the State Department of Health and Senior Services to develop an informational brochure explaining the connection between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer as well as providing information that an immunization for HPV is available. The department must make the brochure available on its web site and must notify each public school district of the availability of the brochure. The brochure will be provided directly to parents.

--Finally, HB 2270 allows child abuse medical resource centers to collaborate directly or through the use of technology with SAFE CARE providers. A SAFE CARE provider is a physician, advanced practice nurse or physician's assistant who provides medical diagnosis and treatment to children who are suspected of being victims of abuse. The collaboration between a medical resource center and a SAFE CARE provider is intended to improve services for suspected abused children, who will need a forensic medical evaluation. The SAFE CARE provider may provide training for forensic medical evaluations conducted in a hospital, child advocacy center, or by a private health care professional. The SAFE CARE network of providers must develop recommendations on medically-based screening processes and forensic evidence collection for children in an emergency examination in a sexual assault situation.

Adapted in part from Governor Nixon's press release.

The Governor's press release may be found here.

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