2007 Legislative Victories

Child Protection

In 2007, Missouri made progress in strengthening the child protection system. 

Most importantly, Missouri has allocated $1.7 million to continue to move the State of Missouri Children’s Division towards full accreditation.  The goal of accreditation is to improve staff efficiency and education, so that the Children’s Division will achieve better outcomes for children and families such as improved adoption and family reunification rates.

Additionally, Missouri has created some new supports for formerly abused, abandoned, and neglected children.  Missouri has allocated $600,000 to extend Medicaid access to youth who leave the foster care system at age 18, which is known as “Aging Out.”  These older youth will now have access to on-going medical care to help them through the healing process.  Missouri is starting two pilot Adoption Resource Centers, which will provide on-going support for foster youth as they begin to bond with their new adoptive families.  The cost for this initiative is $300,000.

Finally, after many years, Missouri has increased the Foster Parent Rate.  The increase of $2.5 million to improve the program will amount to a $40-$50 increase in monthly reimbursements for foster parents.

Early Care & Education

After several years of ranking last in Child Care Subsidy eligibility, Missouri finally took some steps to help more low-income, working parents afford day care.  The Blunt Administration found more money for the program by eliminating provider fraud, and decided to invest the savings back into the program.  Additionally, the Legislature added $1 million in new funds.  Now, Missouri’s eligibility moves from 108% FPL to 127% FPL.

Health

Through the launch of the new Mo HealthNet program (SB 577), Missouri took some steps to expand access to health insurance for low-income children. 

Prior to this year, in order to access the state children’s health insurance program, families had to prove they did not have access to private health coverage at 9% of family income or less.  Since research shows that low-income families cannot afford to pay more than 5% of income on health care and still have enough to pay for food, housing, and transportation, the Legislature made the following changes:

For families between 150% and 185% FPL, affordability is set at 3% of income.

For families between 185% and 225% FPL, affordability is set at 4% of income.

For families between 225% and 300% FPL, affordability is set at 5% of income.

Mo HealthNet also includes a provision that states if private insurance does not cover a child’s preexisting condition, or if a child exceeds the annual coverage limit of their private insurance, it will not be considered affordable. Several thousand more children will be able to access MC (Medicaid/SCHIP) now.

Additionally, the Legislature is exploring ways to expand outreach and enrollment efforts through the Mo HealthNet program.  The Department of Social Services (DSS) is conducting a study on the costs and benefits of expanding the practice of presumptive eligibility to FQHCs, rural health clinics, and all hospitals.  Presumptive Eligibility allows seemingly qualified low-income children to enroll in MC without a waiting period.  DSS has chosen one rural and one urban clinic for the study, and they will make the results public at the end of 2007.

2006 Legislative Victories

Child Protection

Missouri has allocated adequate funds so it can meet its Children’s Division accreditation goal by 2009. The Legislature allocated about $5.2 million from General Revenue for Children’s Division accreditation. This allocation will draw down $2.5 million in federal funds. The $5.2 million is for the CORE increase for DSS full-time employees (FTE). Accreditation will mean better outcomes for children.

Early Care & Education

Missouri stopped the potential loss of $2-$4 million for early care programs.
CMC and other advocates were able to stop HB 1141 which would have taken away between $2 and $4 million for early care programs. This is an important victory for Missouri’s early care programs like the Missouri Pre-School Project.

Missouri has created uniform standards for public pre-school programs to ensure quality services. Education doesn’t begin at age 5 or 6. Children’s brains are developing rapidly in the toddler years and they are ready for educational opportunities at an early age. The newly passed HB 1511 guarantees that Missouri public pre-school programs have uniform standards.

Health

Missouri has reduced premiums for some SCHIP families to make health care more affordable. The Legislature provided an additional $300,000 for a premium relief plan for families participating in the Child Health Insurance Program. Families earning between 185% and 225% of FPL will enjoy a slight reduction in their monthly premium payments.

Missouri has improved dental access for children on Medicaid by allowing dental hygienists to continue to perform services like fluoride treatments, teeth cleaning and sealants without the supervision of a dentist. Currently, the provisions allowing dental hygienists to provide services in a public health setting for children eligible for medical assistance under Chapter 208, RSMo, will expire on August 28, 2006. This bill repeals the sunset provision. The passage of SB 828 is an important victory for low-income families and children. Dental hygienists may continue to provide fluoride treatments, teeth cleaning and sealants if appropriate, to children who are eligible for medical assistance with the supervision of a dentist.

Youth Development

Missouri has increased the number of hours of teen driving training as a way to combat the high number of youth fatalities in driving accidents. The Legislative improved teenage driving safety by increasing the number of hours of behind-the-wheel driving instruction that one must complete in order to obtain a temporary instruction permit. The current law requires 20 hours of instruction while the act proposes 40 hours of instruction, including a minimum of 10 hours of nighttime instruction. This requirement is effective January 1, 2007. SB 1001 will help prevent the number of youth fatalities in automobile accidents.