Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Call to Action: Urge Gov. Nixon to Release Asthma Funding!

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon just announced that $46.1 million from Missouri's budget is being withheld, which includes $400,000 for asthma education and home assessments for high-risk asthma patients in the state (Missouri is the FIRST STATE to have passed legislation of this nature!)

We ask that you take a few minutes of your time to call or write Governor Jay Nixon and the MO HealthNet Director to voice your concern over this lost funding (other key contacts are also linked below).  Please see letter/talking points below and copy and paste into an email or letter, or voice your concern about this issue in a phone call (*remember to customize letter greeting for each separate contact!)
Collectively, we have and will continue to make our voices heard. Thank you for your advocacy and for helping a child breathe easier!

Governor Jay Nixon
P.O. Box 720, Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-3222

Email Form

Dr. Joe Parks
MO HealthNet, 615 Howerton Court Dr., PO Box 6500, Jefferson City, MO 65102-6500
573-751-3425

Joe.Parks@dss.mo.gov

Dear Governor Nixon OR Dr. Parks OR Name of Legislator:
I am requesting your urgent attention to release critical funding regarding the $46.1 million budget withholding announcement. Specifically, I am concerned about the withholding of $400,000 for asthma services (HB 11.528), which would have allowed for Medicaid reimbursement to practitioners across the state who perform asthma home assessments and education for Missouri's most vulnerable populations with asthma.

Without this funding, Missouri will lose out on an estimated savings of $1,500 per patient, annually, and other expected health outcomes including decreased emergency room visits, decreased school absences and fewer work days missed by parents.  Additionally, without the funding from the Missouri budget, the state will not be eligible for a $1.2 million federal match for these reimbursements.

As you are aware, Missouri is the only state to have passed legislation directly in response to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services rule change 42 CFR 440.130(c).  This allows practitioners to provide and be reimbursed for furnishing preventive services for asthma patients outside of the clinical setting.
 
In Missouri, asthma is the No. 1 reason why children are hospitalized, visit the ER and miss school days, and annually, asthma hospitalizations cost the state approximately $100 million (this figure does not include the impact and cost incurred by lost work and school days).  
 
This landmark appropriations bill had put Missouri on the national map for providing cutting-edge asthma care, and I urge you to reinstate this important funding, which will more than pay for itself within the first year of its implementation.

Thank you for time and consideration of this important health policy issue.