Baker Opposes State Agency Plan to Control "Organ Transplant" Cases!

Belton, Mo. - Just this week Rep. Brian Baker quoted American hero and frontiersman, Davey Crockett, stating, “Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have.” The state of Missouri might try to prove those words.

It looks like the state of Missouri maybe headed toward making medical decisions for citizens if the new Insure Missouri Plan moves forward. A new rule proposed by the Department of Social Services was shared with a legislative committee this past week. The rules states that enrollees in the new Insure-Missouri plan must submit to the following: “The bone marrow/stem cell or solid organ transplant will be prior authorized by the state agency and must be performed at a state agency approved transplant facility in accordance with the Insure Missouri participants’ freedom of choice.”

Rep. Baker (R-Belton) and Rep. Doug Ervin (R-Kearney) warn that this rule simply states that Missouri state agency will decide if a citizen needs an organ transplant, not a patient’s doctor. “According to this proposed rule, Missouri is moving toward a socialized-government run healthcare system…this is very alarming,” Ervin stated.

The proposed rules are part of the newly proposed Insure Missouri Plan. A special committee chaired by Rep. Rob Schaaf received the information last week in committee. Rep. Doug Ervin brought the issue to the attention of other legislators, including Baker.

Ervin expressed grave concern for the direction the state is moving. “The underlying theme here is that government will RATION transplants to control costs. This is an example where government is removing the decision making from the private sector and taking it on for itself. The only rationale for doing so is controlling costs, NOT improving patient care. Under this rule, a physician, a patient, and the carrier may agree to a life saving transplant and a bureaucrat can overrule the decision to control costs.”

“Can you imagine having to wait for bureaucrat to decide if you qualify for a transplant? Thank about how long you have to wait in line to receive other state services.” Baker commented.

Baker argues that if the rule moves forward unchanged, it would give the state tremendous power over major surgical procedures that should be decided by a patient and a doctor, not the state. “I have made it very clear that I have grave concerns about both the cost and the direction of these proposed plans. The intention may be to reform care…but what is really happening is that the state will be rationing care. This is opening a huge door.”

Rep. Baker expressed serious concerns about citizens giving the state so much control over their healthcare. “I am in favor of a safety net that creates a place for a patient and doctor to communicate and receive care. I am in favor of helping those extremely poor, sick, and disabled who are uninsurable. However, this rule opens a new door of control by the state.”

Rep. Baker and Rep. Ervin are encouraging Missourians to “sit up and take notice” of what is taking place in Jefferson City. It is important for people to pay attention to what government is doing.