HCS HB 1089 -- HEALTH INSURANCE

SPONSOR:  Cooper, 155 (Schaaf)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Health
Care Policy by a vote of 10 to 0.

This substitute requires health insurers to cover routine patient
care costs incurred as a result of phase II clinical trials for
cancer treatment.  Currently, coverage is only required for phase
III and IV of these trials.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of Unknown
exceeding $33,370 in FY 2007, Unknown exceeding $66,740 in
FY 2008, and Unknown exceeding $66,740 in FY 2009.  Estimated
Cost on Other State Funds of Unknown expected to exceed $51,030
in FY 2007, Unknown expected to exceed $112,060 in FY 2008, and
Unknown expected to exceed $112,060 in FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say the bill will allow patients to
receive treatment for a diagnosis at a earlier stage.  Clinical
trials are a vital part of providing the best possible care for
cancer patients and contribute to finding a cure for cancer.
None of the current cancer therapies would be available without
patient participation in clinical trials.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Schaaf; Maryann R.
Coletti and Katherine J. Mathews, M.D., Siteman Cancer Center;
Missouri Nurses Association; American Cancer Society; Missouri
State Medical Association; and University of Missouri.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that for every 1%
increase in health insurance costs, 200,000 people drop their
coverage.  These mandates will not effect the insurance companies
but rather Missouri citizens who pay insurance premiums.  Phase I
and II trials are usually the first time these drugs are tested,
and insurance companies do not want to be a source of payment for
drugs that could potentially be very harmful.

Testifying against the bill were Missouri's Health Insurance
Plans; Missouri Insurance Coalition; Golden Rule Insurance
Company; Coventry Health Care; and America's Health Insurance
Plans.

Dominic Lackey, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:42 am