JEFFERSON CITY — This week, a measure brought to the General Assembly by Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, was signed by the governor and is set to take effect in August.

Senate Bill 161 calls for an actuarial analysis of the potential cost impact on consumers, health insurers and both private and public tax payers if the state would mandate the coverage of both orally administered anticancer medications compared to injections and the diagnosis and treatment of certain eating disorders, including potential residential treatment and/or further psychiatric or medical treatments.

“I will continue to advocate for both cancer research and assistance for those who are suffering from eating disorders,” Sen. Pearce said. “Senate Bill 161 is a rare bill that will allow both of these issues to have the support they need to go from idea to reality.”

Missouri citizen advocate and mother of a daughter who suffered from an eating disorder, Annie Seal, is thrilled with this important step in identifying costs associated with complete care. “Eating disorders are the most fatal of all mental illnesses, yet treatment in Missouri is difficult to obtain. Denying patients important treatment has to stop. This study should prove that providing treatment is cost-effective. Those who have been affected know first-hand the time, money and number of lives this disease costs our state each year.”

Under the bill, the Oversight Division of the Joint Committee on Legislative Research is responsible for conducting an actuarial, or financial, analysis to compare the cost effectiveness for the state of Missouri. The director of that division must report to the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate and the chair of the House Special Committee on Health Insurance and the chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business, Insurance and Industry by Dec. 31, 2013, with a cost plan of $30,000 or less.

This bill will take effect Aug. 28, 2013, and will expire on Dec. 31, 2013.