FIRST REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE NO. 2 FOR
93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Reported from the Committee on Health Care Policy March 17, 2005 with recommendation that House Committee Substitute No. 2 for House Bill No. 131 Do Pass. Referred to the Committee on Rules pursuant to Rule 25(26)(f). STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 191, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to administration of immunizations with mercury preservatives.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 191, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 191.235, to read as follows:
191.235. 1. Beginning April 1, 2007, immunizations administered in the state of Missouri to knowingly pregnant women or children less than three years of age shall not contain more than one microgram of mercury per five-tenths-milliliter dose.
2. Beginning April 1, 2007, any insurer doing business in the state of Missouri that provides insurance coverage for immunizations of a fee schedule or on a percentage reimbursement basis shall reimburse for immunizations not containing mercury at least at the same percentage rate of the usual and customary charges which were provided for immunizations containing mercury or other preservatives immediately prior to April 1, 2007.
3. The director of the department of health and senior services shall exempt the use of a vaccine from compliance with this section if the director finds, and the governor concurs, that an actual or potential public health emergency exists, including an epidemic, outbreak, or shortage for which there does not exist a sufficient supply of vaccine that complies with subsection 1 of this section that would prevent knowingly pregnant or children less than three years of age from receiving the vaccine. The director shall determine the duration of such exemption.