October 14, 2005

Medicaid Reform Commission Now Focuses on Writing Report
Two more days of public hearings have been held. Now the Medicaid Reform Commission attempts to digest all that it has been told in an effort to propose change to the Legislature. Commission Chairman Senator Charlie Shields of St. Joseph says a total of 15 days of public testimony has given the Commission plenty of information. Now, it must begin writing its report. Republicans in the Legislature succeeded in pushing cuts to Medicaid through during the regular session. They also set up the Medicaid Reform Commission to propose an overhaul of the system. Democrats opposed the cuts during the session and have been at odds with Republicans during the Commission meetings.

Health Officials Work to Prepare For Bird Flu
Talk of the bird flu outbreak in parts of Asia has U.S. health officials concerned about a possible pandemic. Eddie Hedrick with the Missouri Health Department says this state - in conjunction with federal authorities - is putting together a preparedness plan. He points out the virus has so far been limited primarily to poultry - but he adds about 160 humans in Asia have been infected, as well. Hedrick says it would be a mistake for anyone in the U.S. to say we are prepared for such flu pandemic. He says that is why officials in Missouri and the rest of the country are trying to get prepared for what might happen - whenever it might happen - and be ready to launch an extensive inoculation plan.

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