HB 862 Summary

• Creates the Missouri Universal Health Assurance Program as a single publicly financed statewide health care program providing comprehensive health, mental health, and dental services to all Missouri residents regardless of preexisting conditions.

• Establishes a 23-member board of governors appointed by the governor with Senate confirmation, plus six regional representatives and three ex officio members, to administer the program and develop an annual comprehensive state health care plan.

• Imposes a progressive health assurance tax on Missouri taxable income exceeding $5,000, ranging from 1% to 5% based on income level, with revenue deposited into the Missouri Health Care Trust Fund.

• Requires the Department of Social Services to apply for federal waivers under Medicare and Medicaid (Titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act) to enable the state to direct federal health care payments into the trust fund.

• Program becomes effective April 1st following receipt of federal waivers, with participating providers reimbursed through global budgets for institutional providers and fee-for-service rates for independent providers based on Medicare guidelines.