HCS SB 407 -- CANCER SCREENINGS

SPONSOR:  Klindt (Luetkemeyer)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Financial Services by a vote of 16 to 0.

Current law requires health insurers to provide coverage to
cancer patients for routine patient costs incurred as a result of
drugs and devices used in clinical trials, even if those drugs
and devices have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for use in treating the patient's particular
condition.  This substitute clarifies that accident-only
policies, specified disease policies, Medicare supplement
policies, and other types of limited benefit health insurance
policies are exempt from this mandate.  The substitute also
clarifies that health carriers may offer health benefit plans
that contain a variety of deductibles and coinsurance
differentials.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of
Unknown in FY 2004, FY 2005, and FY 2006.  Estimated Net Income
to Insurance Dedicated Fund of $8,000 in FY 2004, $0 in FY 2005,
and $0 in FY 2006.  Estimated Net Cost to Other Funds of Unknown
in FY 2004, FY 2005, and FY 2006.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill merely clarifies that
the provision does not apply to limited benefit policies.  Those
types of policies are more affordable specifically because they
are limited.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Klindt; Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Missouri; American Cancer Society; Missouri Association
of Health Carriers; and United Health Care of the Midwest.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Richard Smreker, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:13 am