federal healthcare law

Federal judge dismisses contraception mandate suit

Associated Press — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:45:22 +0000

A federal judge in St. Louis has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the contraception mandate of the federal health care law.

The lawsuit filed on behalf of Frank O'Brien and his company, O'Brien Industrial Holdings LLC of St. Louis, was one of nearly three dozen cases nationally challenging the constitutionality of regulations in the health care law. Among other things, O'Brien, a devout Catholic, claimed the requirement to pay for birth control infringes on his religious beliefs.

McCaskill, Akin differ on health care policy

Associated Press — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:07:55 +0000

Few issues have generated as much passion and attention recently as health care. Like many Democrats and Republicans around the nation, Missouri's U.S. Senate candidates are on opposites sides of the issue.

Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill supports and defends the health care law signed in 2010 by President Barack Obama. Her Republican challenger, congressman Todd Akin, wants to repeal it.

But there may be at least some middle ground.

Nixon's stance unclear on Medicaid expansion

Elana Gordon — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:34:11 +0000

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the federal health law, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon is not taking a clear stance on whether he thinks the state should take part in a voluntary expansion of its Medicaid program. The health law originally required states to raise Medicaid eligibility to about 130 percent of the federal poverty level.

Report shows two-thirds of Missouri's uninsured could get health coverage

Véronique LaCapra — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:26:17 +0000

A new report by the Missouri Foundation for Health estimates that about two-thirds of Missouri’s more than 800,000 uninsured could get health insurance under the federal health care law. The county level data suggest that rural counties will benefit the most.

Mo. insurers to issue nearly $61M in refunds

Véronique LaCapra — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:59:11 +0000

Some of Missouri's largest insurance companies will be refunding consumers almost $61 million this month under a provision of the federal healthcare law. Insurers who failed to spend at least 80 percent of premium-dollars on medical care and quality improvement have to repay the difference to consumers.

Top Mo. Republicans against expanding Medicaid eligibility

Associated Press — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 22:42:51 +0000

Top Missouri Republicans say they have no intention of expanding Medicaid eligibility as a result of the Supreme Court's ruling on the federal health care law.

The high court struck down a provision Thursday that threatened states with the loss of existing federal Medicaid dollars if they refuse to expand coverage to adults earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level. That ruling essentially makes the expansion optional for states.

House Majority Leader Tim Jones says the Republican-led Legislature will not consider the expansion.

Newscast for April 19, 2012

Kaveh Kaghazi — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:47:11 +0000

Regional news coverage from the KBIA News room, including:

Healthcare rebuke passes Missouri House.
Missouri Senate passes education overhaul legislation.
Ex-prosecutor denies telling witnesses what to say.
Missouri energy companies to collaborate on developing nuclear reactors in Callaway County.

Health care rebuke passes House

Marshall Griffin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:18:32 +0000

The Missouri House has passed legislation that seeks to both bar and criminalize enforcement of the 2010 federal health care law.

Missouri bill would ban implementation of health care reform

Associated Press — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:46:54 +0000

A Missouri House panel has endorsed legislation making it a crime for federal officials to attempt to enforce the 2010 federal health care overhaul in the state.

Mo. Senate votes down health insurance exchange

Associated Press — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 19:46:39 +0000

The Missouri Senate has rejected an attempt to set up a state-run health insurance exchange.

The exchanges are part of the federal health care law approved in 2009. States are required to create exchanges by 2014 so that individuals and small business can compare health insurance plans.