At a time when Missouri is ranked near the bottom nationally in many health indicators, the program designed to improve health and wellness for Medicaid patients is being cut by 54 jobs and $33 million.

In the debate over how to reform health care, that's what everybody wants to know. There are at least 10 packages on the table.

Politicians from opposite ends of the political spectrum will debate health care at Southeast Missouri State University this fall.

Some governors are pushing to scale back or kill proposals to expand Medicaid to provide health care coverage to the uninsured, raising a new challenge to President Barack Obama's effort to overhaul the system.

There is fundamental agreement about what needs to be fixed: rising costs, questionable quality of care, and holes in coverage.

Americans overwhelmingly support substantial changes to the health care system and are strongly behind a government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.

The latest news is available at
www.CoverMissouri.org

As health care reform discussions intensify and legislation is being prepared for debate, Cover Missouri is increasing the number of bulletins distributed for the next few weeks and making regular updates to www.covermissouri.org to keep you informed.

Across Missouri and throughout the country, the majority of people say the health care system is broken. Many hope that 2009 is the year for health reform. As policymakers in Washington debate, Cover Missouri is providing a guide to explain some of the terms being used and to answer some of your questions.

Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Health System Reform answers the following questions:

• Why is health care reform important?
• What is meant by single-payer system?
• What is a public option?
• What does “socialized medicine” mean?
• What is an employer mandate?

As health care reform moves forward, ideas and concerns from all parts of the country must be heard. You can get involved by talking with your legislators, sharing information with your friends and neighbors, and staying informed.

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