Quality health care is vital for all people and their families. When Governor Blunt took office, he began the difficult task of reforming Missouri's broken health care system. Today, with Governor Blunt's leadership, Missouri's health care program for the poor, elderly and disabled is well on its way to ensuring quality care is available to vulnerable Missourians.

·  Focus on Wellness and Prevention. Governor Blunt introduced his bipartisan MO HealthNet plan to replace the old, broken system. MO HealthNet focuses on wellness and prevention instead of only sickness like the old system. MO HealthNet empowers patients by increasing access to quality health care, giving them the tools to become participants and increasing choices for improving their health.

·  Access to Primary Care. Under MO HealthNet, for the first time in Missouri history every participant will have access to primary and preventive care through a choice of a Health Care Home. The Governor's focus is on wellness and prevention through regular check-ups, immunizations and a personal plan of care.

·  Insurance for Working Missourians. Governor Blunt’s Insure Missouri is aimed at decreasing the number of uninsured Missourians by helping low-income working Missourians purchase their own personal health insurance. It also will make it easier for small employers to purchase private health insurance for their employees. Insure Missouri will help reduce the number of uninsured Missourians by 30 percent.

·  More Affordable Health Care. Governor Blunt signed legislation to expand health coverage, lower health care costs and reduce the number of Missourians without insurance. The measure includes tax relief for Missouri families by allowing them to deduct the cost of their health insurance premiums.

·  Ending Waste, Fraud, and Abuse. Under the previous administration, the state's spending had ballooned out of control and Missouri's low-income, elderly and disabled were in danger of the health care system going bankrupt. The old system was unsustainable and, more importantly, failing Missourians who needed help. The Governor's commitment to fight waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system produced savings that were reinvested in the program.

·  Secure Access To Patient Records. Governor Blunt secured $25 million for a new Health Care Technology Fund to improve secure patient and provider access to critical information and develop an innovative electronic health records system that will improve health decisions, ease coordination among doctors, prevent dangerous drug interactions and reduce wasted tax dollars on outdated administrative methods.

·  Preparing For The Long-Term. The Governor is helping Missouri families to better prepare for the future by increasing the deduction for long-term care insurance from 50 to 100 percent. Governor Blunt stood up for Missouri seniors by recommending a $600,000 increase in funding for Meals on Wheels and $400,000 for the Missouri Rx program. These vital programs allow seniors to maintain their independence and remain in their homes and communities.

·  Encouraging Healthy Lifestyles. Obesity carries a high price in terms of both poor health and financial burden. Governor Blunt launched Healthy Missourians, an initiative that responds to the state's obesity epidemic and encourages healthier lifestyles among Missourians of all ages.

Support for MO HealthNet is Gaining Momentum! MO HealthNet, which took effect August 28, is turning Missouri's health care system around and gaining support from across the state. "MO HealthNet improves access to medical care while ensuring patients have a health care home. The emphasis on prevention, personal responsibility, and health risk assessments will improve health outcomes for Missourians." - Dr. Wayne Cooper State Representative, District 155 "MO HealthNet represents a giant leap forward for youth aging out of foster care. These young adults can now be confident that their health care coverage will follow them through their journey from age 18 to 21. Missourians should be proud that their leaders recognized the need to support youth aging out of foster care, charted a vision and acted with clear direction." - Kevin Drollinger, MSSW, MBA Executive Director, Epworth Children and Family Services, St. Louis "MO HealthNet will offer participants more tailored care in the most appropriate and productive setting, helping patients build healthier lives. Moving primary care out of the emergency department will benefit both hospitals and their patients." - Dwight Fine Senior Vice President of Health Policy, Missouri Hospital Association "The Missouri Primary Care Association believes that all Missourian's, regardless of income or insurance status, deserve access to comprehensive health care and a medical home. We believe that the new MO HealthNet plan will begin the process of transitioning the old Medicaid system, which merely paid claims and encouraged a sickness care system, into a health improvement strategy that focuses on prevention, wellness, and early primary care. Moreover, this new system will ensure better health outcomes by holding both health providers and patients accountable." - Joseph E. Pierle Chief Executive Officer, Missouri Primary Care Association "MO HealthNet stresses the importance of individualized care and is designed to put people first, improve quality and promote preventative care. Taking a pro-active approach to health care greatly improves the quality of life for all MO HealthNet participants and will reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations." - Deborah Scott Missouri Department of Social Services Director "MO HealthNet will focus on wellness, prevention and participant responsibility. Instead of paying for disease, our state has made a commitment to preventing disease and promoting healthy lifestyles." - Charlie Shields State Senator, District 34