FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 31

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

2125L.01I

      Whereas, the Missouri General Assembly regards the health of our children to be of paramount importance to families in our State; and

            Whereas, the Missouri General Assembly regards poor child health as a threat to the educational achievement, social, and psychological well-being of the children of our State; and

            Whereas, the Missouri General Assembly considers protecting the health of our children to be essential to the well-being of our youngest citizens and the quality of life in our State; and

            Whereas, the Missouri General Assembly considers the Missouri MC+ for Kids program, which has an average enrollment of more than 125,000 children each year since its inception in September 1998, to be an integral part of the arrangements for health benefits for the children of the State of Missouri; and

            Whereas, the Missouri General Assembly recognizes the value of the Missouri MC+ for Kids program in preserving child wellness, preventing and treating childhood disease, improving health outcomes, and reducing overall health costs; and

            Whereas, the Missouri General Assembly considers the federal funding available for the Missouri MC+ for Kids program to be indispensable to providing health benefits for children of modest means:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fourth General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby:

            (1) Urge the Missouri Congressional Delegation to ensure that the Congress timely reauthorizes the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to assure federal funding for the Missouri MC+ for Kids program;

            (2) Urge Governor Matt Blunt to use his best efforts to work with the Missouri Congressional Delegation to ensure that SCHIP is reauthorized in a timely manner;

            (3) Urge all components of state government to work together with educators, health care providers, social workers, and parents to ensure that all available public and private assistance for providing health benefits to uninsured children in Missouri be used to the maximum extent possible; and

            (4) Urge Governor Matt Blunt to use his best efforts to provide meaningful assistance to help identify and enroll children who qualify for Medicaid or the Missouri MC+ for Kids program; and

            Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for Governor Matt Blunt, Deborah E. Scott, the Director of the Department of Social Services, and each member of the Missouri Congressional delegation.

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