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ST. LOUIS NEWS TODAY - Sunday, February 18, 2007
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Missouri House Votes to Restore Healthcare for Disabled Workers
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), February 18, 2007 - Members of the House of Representatives have voted overwhelmingly in favor of restoring healthcare for more than four thousand disabled workers in Missouri.
The Ticket to Work Health Assurance Program, established in House Bill 39, combines federal and state resources to enable disabled Missourians to stay at work without losing needed healthcare coverage. Bill sponsor, Representative Charles Portwood, R-Ballwin, said the bill is a good step for government and for the disabled community.
"In the past, we rewarded minimum effort with maximum benefit," said Rep. Portwood. "This program rewards people who give maximum effort with maximum benefits."
HB 39 provides considerable incentives that encourage independence. Participants who purchase dental and optical insurance, services generally not available under the current Medicaid system, will be able to disregard seventy-five dollars a month from their net income. Additionally, participants can exempt annual deposits of up to $5,000 made in independent living accounts or medical savings accounts. Both accounts encourage a person with a disability to set aside money to help with the high costs of healthcare and therapy.
This year's bill increases the income level allowable for participants to 350% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). A bill proposed last year capped allowable income at 250% FPL. This change allows the program to accommodate a thousand more people than last year's proposal while adding only a million more in general revenue dollars to last year's fiscal note of $9.5 million.
With a vote total of 153-2, the House offered unquestioning support of the measure. However, some legislators expressed their disappointment with the timing of the bill's passage.
"I'm frustrated we didn't do this back in September," said House Minority Floor Leader, Rep. Jeff Harris, D-Columbia, referring to attempts to reinstate the program during the legislature's annual veto session. Portwood acknowledged his own desire to see the measure passed earlier but added, "I'm more frustrated that similar measures passed in the House the past two years but failed to pass in the Senate." He also pointed out a bit of "silver lining" found in passing this year's bill.
"Delay never helps anyone," said Portwood, but changes in this year's bill are "going to help 1,500 more than we would have helped in September."
The bill also received a unanimous vote supporting immediate implementation of the program after the bill receives similar approval from the Senate and from the governor. The program would be funded by surplus revenue from the current fiscal year.
Missouri Reports Cases of Salmonella Poisoning Related to Contaminated Peanut Butter
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), February 18, 2007 - The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported that it has received reports of 13 people who have tested positive for Salmonella poisoning related to consuming contaminated peanut butter.
Missouri is one of 39 states involved in a national product recall of two kinds of peanut butter believed to be contaminated with salmonella. The two affected brands are Peter Pan Peanut Butter and Great Value Peanut Butter, both having serial numbers beginning with "2111'.
Most people recover from salmonella poisoning without medical attention, however if persons are experiencing illness after consuming the recalled peanut butter, they may want to seek medical care from their health care provider. If laboratory testing confirmed Salmonella Tennessee, additional testing may be done on the peanut butter, so a person who suspects illness from consuming the recalled peanut butter should keep it. If testing does not identify Salmonella, please dispose of the peanut butter.
If consumers have this product, they should discard it, but save the product lid. For a full refund, consumers must return the Peter Pan Peanut Butter or Great Value Peanut Butter product lid along with their name and mailing address to ConAgra Foods, P.O. Box 57078, Irvine, CA 92619-7078. Consumers with questions or concerns about the recall can call the 24-hour toll-free hotline at 866-344-6970.
Additional information can be obtained from CDC's website at: www.cdc.gov/ and click on the Salmonella link on the main page. Information is also available on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website at www.fda.gov. FDA's news release about the product contamination and health warning can be accessed at: www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01563.html
Currently, Missouri's cases range in age from three years to 89 years of age. One case reported an onset date of June. Other cases onset dates range from September 30, 2006 until January 30, 2007. Cases are distributed statewide.
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