Progress and Filibusters

Much like the weather in Missouri this week, the state Senate was a little bit all over the place. 

I am glad we were able to make some progress on ways to protect children and help foster kids, move towards elimination of an age-old problem by requiring anyone getting married to be at least 18 years old, and pass the Missouri CROWN Act. However, in my opinion, one issue we spent a lot of time on Wednesday was moving us backwards, not forwards, as the Senate spent a significant amount of time debating a return to state control of the St. Louis Police Department. 

This issue should have been resolved in 2012 when a statewide vote of the people gave this control back to the city. It was disappointing that so much time was spent having to defend and protect the will of the people when it could have gone towards advancing so many other pieces of legislation that would be of benefit to the entire state. Ultimately a version of House Bill 495 was agreed upon, but the minority was able to get a few clarifications worked into the bill. Sometimes the best thing you can do is slow things down and force further conversations. I am glad my colleagues and I were able to make that happen. 

Back in committee hearings, my Senate Bill 178 was presented to the Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee on Wednesday morning. This bill is made up of several different provisions covering a wide variety of health care issues and policies. It is also the product of years of hard work by a bipartisan group of senators and representatives. 

Provisions included in SB 178 include: 

• Increased prenatal blood tests – The bill would require additional disease screenings at 28 weeks, for patients who consent. This is an effort to curb a recent spike in congenital diseases in Missouri, an issue that is preventable if it is identified and treated early.
• Update statutes regarding mammogram notices – Missouri’s laws surrounding mammogram notices are currently outdated following modifications to federal policies. This legislation would put Missouri law in sync with federal laws. 
• Year-long supply of contraceptives – SB 178 would allow a private insurance option to receive an entire year of birth control at once. This increases the continuity of use and studies show this could reduce unintended pregnancies by 30%, and reduce abortions by 46%. 
• Updates to Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) – The bill would expand the number of sexually transmitted infections (STI) that allow EPT. This would help reduce alarming STI rates across the state. 
• Reducing Forensic Examination Restrictions – Under the new law, specialty hospitals would no longer be held to forensic examination requirements, so long as they have the appropriate transfer agreements in place with an appropriate hospital. These facilities were never meant to be included in this set of laws and do not have the resources to meet such unnecessary criteria. 

I admit these are very “in the weeds” health care issues and they are not the topics that make headlines. They are, however, common sense preventative healthcare policies to support the health of women and babies, addressing the horrific maternal and infant mortality rate in our state. All of these measures are supported by a broad coalition of supporters including nurses, doctors, social workers and others. I am proud to continue the effort I started in the Missouri House of Representatives and work with the many other elected officials who want to see these improvements take effect sooner rather than later. 

I hope to bring you more good news on SB 178 in the near future. Have a good weekend! 

Contact Me

I always appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at 573-751-6607. You may write me at Patty Lewis, Missouri Senate, State Capitol, Rm 425, Jefferson City, MO 65101, send an email to Patty.Lewis@senate.mo.gov or visit www.senate.mo.gov/Lewis.