Schaefer: Disconcerting Change To State's Consolidated Healthcare Plan

I would like to address a development that has received a lot of attention in the media recently. The Missouri Consolidated Healthcare Plan has recently changed its policy by altering the definition of "generic drugs." This basically allows for pharmaceutical drug replacements between therapeutic drugs, which can create outcomes that are sometimes less beneficial for the patient and can happen without the patient’s consent.

This is a major concern of mine that I am going to be tracking closely, so if you have any stories you would like to share with me about how this affects you personally, feel free to send me an e-mail at kurt{dot}schaefer{at}senate{dot}mo{dot}gov or call my office at (573) 751-3931.

Over 90 students from the gifted education program in Columbia pose on the Grand Staircase in the Capitol with Sen. Schaefer. Lieutenant Gov. Kinder, John Kadlec, and Sen. Schaefer pose with Kadlec’s courtesy resolution. Senator Schaefer takes a photograph with the Freedom of the Road Riders organization in the Senate Chamber. Senator Schaefer poses after he was presented with his very own Freedom of the Road Riders vest. Senator Schaefer and Coach Anderson shake hands inside the Senate chamber. Alex Logan, Krista Crider, and Whitney Jones, three of the interns from Sen. Schaefer’s office, pose with Coach Anderson after the University of Missouri Caucus.

This week was a busy one at the Capitol, as it was the last full week of session in which senators may file bills. I personally filed Senate Bill 323, which would require the Missouri State Auditor to conduct a one-time comparative audit on between five and 10 of the largest state agencies in Missouri by Aug. 28, 2013. With the information gathered in the audit, the auditor would then be required to issue a report with suggestions for possible cost saving measures for these agencies. This bill has the potential to save the state money while creating a more efficient government. Another one of my bills was heard in committee this week. Senate Bill 213, which would modify the information required in a petition for guardianship for a minor or an incapacitated person, was heard in the Judiciary Committee on Monday (2/20) night. Tuesday (2/21), I had the privilege of introducing a group of gifted elementary school students and teachers from Columbia Public Schools on the floor. The group was visiting the Capitol for Gifted Education Week. I also had the pleasure of introducing John Kadlec on the floor Tuesday and presenting him with a courtesy resolution. Kadlec, otherwise known as “Mr. Mizzou,” has been the color commentator for University of Missouri football games for the past 16 years. After this past season ended, Kadlec announced he was giving up the microphone in order to become more involved in the fund-raising activities at Mizzou. Kadlec first came to the University of Missouri in 1947 to play on the offensive line for then-coach Don Faurot, and has been a big part of the University of Missouri athletic community ever since. On Wednesday (2/22), I introduced the “doctor of the day,” Dr. Nicholas Golda, MD, who is an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Missouri in Columbia. I also introduced several members of the Missouri Circuit Clerks Association and my job shadow for the day, Marissa Tierney, who was representing the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, or the FCCLA. In addition, I had a job shadow on Tuesday, eighth grader Trent Ludwig, representing the 4-H Club. I also got to meet with the Freedom of the Road Riders organization on Wednesday for their Legislation Day, as well. On Thursday (2/23), I introduced University of Missouri Men’s Head Basketball Coach Mike Anderson on the Senate floor as a special guest. Coach Anderson gave an encouraging speech on teamwork and perseverance and also spoke at the University of Missouri Caucus that morning. In news outside the Capitol, the University of Missouri system is in the process of searching for a new president. If you are interested in receiving updates, information about the search, or sharing your thoughts about the process, you may visit www.umsystem.edu/ps. Also, if you would like to plan a visit to the Capitol with your school group, contact my office at (573) 751-3931 if you would like to be introduced as guests in the Senate.