One of the important things I've learned in my time as an elected official is that it's not just about the speed of the response – representing you is about the thoroughness of that response, too. I've heard from many people about their difficulties with long-term care insurance they have purchased for themselves or a loved one. After purchasing the insurance so they can afford the massively expensive nursing home or assisted living expenses in their later years, they are being hit with 30-40 percent premium increases that they must pay or lose the coverage that they have owned for a long time. I contacted the Department of Insurance and they informed me this was their number one complaint issue from consumers. I believe I've drafted a bill that is fair to both the purchasers and the companies that choose to do business in our state that will directly protect consumers while dealing with the underlying reason for these complaints.
Senate Bill 979, if enacted, would not allow any insurance company to issue long-term care insurance without filing the classification of risks and the premium rates with the director of the Missouri Department of Insurance. What happened several years ago is that insurance companies came into Missouri and sold rock bottom premium, long-term care policies in which the premium charged would not cover the life of the policy. This gained insurance companies market share and new policy holders by undercutting the competition.
After having the contract for a few years, consumers started to see drastic rate increases to cover the artificially low premiums that the company didn't collect when they issued the policies. Consumers were faced with a choice: cancel the policy and lose all the credit they had paid over those years or pay a 30 to 40 percent increase with no guarantee it would not increase again the next year. By having the Department of Insurance approve the rates when issuing a policy, they can mathematically determine if the policy premiums are sufficient to cover the risk and be a viable policy for consumers.
For the policies sold before this law, we would be capping a maximum increase of 15 percent in one calendar year on premiums. What we have found is states that have these provisions have protected consumers, where states like Missouri that do not have these protections have paid part of the cost of the undercharged policies in other states. Long-term care insurance companies could charge Missourians higher premium increases for coverage to offset costs in another state, thereby making Missouri consumers pay for their policy costs and the costs of those in other states.
Long term care insurance is a great idea and a key part of many retirement and estate plans. Making sure that the consumer is protected when purchasing a contract is the job of the state who approves these policies to be sold in Missouri. It would also allow our most frail citizens to know they have protection when it comes to buying important coverage that could keep them well taken are of, without depleting their entire savings if they need nursing home care in their golden years — an average of $40,000 per year in costs.
SENATE FLOOR ACTION
Before the Senate adjourned for its mid-session recess, lawmakers began floor debate on what will likely be one of the most heavily discussed topics of the session—economic development.Senate Bill 895, a wide-ranging economic development bill aimed at creating jobs—sponsored by Sen. Tom Dempsey (R-St. Charles)—was briefly brought to the floor this week for debate. The bill would, among other provisions, allow municipalities to establish Missouri Jobs for the Future Districts for which they may issue obligations to pay for costs incurred while developing the areas to attract businesses and create jobs.
The bill would also allow the Department of Economic Development to, upon finding an economic benefit to the state, increase the amount of incentives available for Missouri businesses through certain tax credit programs. In addition, it would establish the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act, designed to encourage business growth in high-tech areas.
Also brought to the Senate floor for debate this week was a bill I co-sponsored with Sen. Rob Mayer, SB 793. The bill would expand the state's informed consent requirements for abortion, including detailing the risks of an abortion and the physiological characteristics of an unborn child at two-week gestational increments. Senate Bill 793 would also require a health professional to discuss the medical assistance and counseling resources available, advise a woman considering an abortion of the father's liability for child support, and provide information about the Alternatives to Abortion Program.
Senate Bill 818, sponsored by Sen. Jim Lembke (R-St. Louis), was also briefly discussed on the floor. The bill would make several changes to the state's initiative and referendum process. One proposed change includes creating the misdemeanor crime of intentional misrepresentation of a petition, which would occur when a person knowingly and fraudulently gathers signatures for a petition.
While no further action was taken on the bills this week, they may be taken up on the floor at any future point in the session.
DISTRICT MEETINGS
I hope to see you at my town hall meetings, which the dates and times are below.Lincoln County Town Hall Meeting Details
| Time: | 7:00 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Date: | Monday, March 8 |
| Location: | Lincoln County Health Department Community Room #5 Health Department Drive, Highway H Troy, Missouri, 63379 |
St. Charles County Town Hall Meeting Details
| Time: | 1 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday, March 20 |
| Location: | O'Fallon City Hall, Multi-Purpose Room 100 North Main Street, O'Fallon, MO 63366 |
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