General Column – Week of July 28, 2008

Senate Select Committees Meet During Interim

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Senators Discuss Health Care and Housing

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Jefferson City — Two Senate Select Committees have been created to discuss issues pertaining to health care and housing during the interim, and will report their findings and issue recommendations to the Senate prior to the start of the 2009 legislative session.

The first is the Senate Select Committee on the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, which is examining ways to improve the effectiveness of the Missouri Housing Trust Fund while increasing funding to the program. The senators appointed to the committee are Sen. Scott T. Rupp (R-Wentzville), who serves as the chair; Sen. Brad Lager (R-Maryville); Sen. John Griesheimer (R-Washington); Sen. Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City); and Sen. Tim Green (D-St. Louis).

The second committee is the Senate Select Committee on MO HealthNet Provider Rate Equalization. Members are determining if it is possible to apply an objective standard to all MO HealthNet provider reimbursement rates, and if so, how that standard should be applied. The senators appointed to the committee are Sen. Gary Nodler (R-Joplin), who serves as the chair; Sen. Rob Mayer (R-Dexter); Sen. Jason Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau); Sen. Joan Bray (D-St. Louis); and Sen. Wes Shoemyer (D-Clarence).

This column will be written on a monthly basis until December 2008. To follow these and other issues facing the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov. Visitors can research legislation, learn more about their Senate district, or watch video or listen to audio highlights of the Second Regular Session of the 94th Missouri General Assembly.

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