The Missouri Health Insurance Innovation Task Force is set to convene its first meeting Aug. 8.
Gov. Mike Parson signed an executive order two weeks ago creating the task force, which is asked to identify and develop concepts that "will result in significant innovation in the Missouri Health insurance market." It is to come up with concepts intended to be used to develop an innovation waiver application for the Affordable Care Act.
The (Section 1332) waiver allows a state to implement innovations, provided they are at least as comprehensive and affordable as coverage provided absent the waiver, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The waivers allow states to pursue alternative coverage in individual- and small-group markets. Once approved, the waivers are good for five years.
Parson appointed seven members to serve on the task force earlier this week - Andrea Croley, co-owner of Croley Insurance in Springfield; Coni Fries, vice president for government relations for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas City; Gary D. Fulbright, chief financial officer of Citizen's Memorial Hospital in Bolivar; David K. Hill, vice president and deputy general counsel for United Healthcare; Nathan T. Landsbaum, plan president and chief executive officer of Home State Health Plan, Inc.; Kandice K. Sanaie, regional director CIGNA; and Angela Brown, acting CEO of St. Louis Regional Health Commission.
Other members of the task force are Chlora Lindley-Myers, director of the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration, who will chair the task force; Sen. Paul Wieland, R-Imperial; Sen. Bill White, R-Joplin; Rep. Jon Patterson, R-Lee's Summit; and Rep. Justin Hill, R-Lake St. Louis.
The first meeting is in room 530 of the Harry S. Truman State Office Building, 301 W. High St. The exact time has not been determined.
The committee chair is required to submit a report to Parson - recommending a course (or courses) of action to obtain a waiver - no later than Jan. 31, 2020.