Bill White offers update on Senate session

(From Sen. Bill White, R-Joplin)

With only five weeks remaining in the 2022 legislative session, the action in both chambers will continue to intensify as legislators try to pass legislation and get their priorities signed into law. 

I am pleased to report that several more of my proposals have advanced through the legislative process this week. 

On April 5, I presented Senate Bill 947 to the Senate Insurance and Banking Committee. Although this brand new proposal has very technical elements, its main function is to develop a system to exempt prior authorizations for health care providers within health carriers. 

The Missouri State Medical Association shared some startling statistics on this topic, noting that half of the medical dollars spent in the nation go toward drugs and administration, while medical practices spend an average of 17 hours a week to obtain prior authorizations. 

Eliminating this step will have an estimated fiscal impact of $30 billion a year. Streamlining the prior authorization process will help improve services between the provider and the patient.

My public utility bill, Senate Bill 756, is first on the Senate perfection calendar, so I hope it will be debated soon so utility companies and consumers can reap the important benefits of grid modernization.

 Senate Bill 1133, which prevents the Board of Pharmacy from taking disciplinary action on a pharmacist who dispenses ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine, was voted do pass out of committee. My legislation to implement the federal Family First Prevention Service Act and assign a qualified individual to ensure that a child in care of the state is appropriately placed, Senate Bill 823, passed out of the Senate and will be soon considered by the House.

I’m also pleased to report two of my Senate concurrent resolutions were adopted this week. Senate Concurrent Resolution 28 encourages the president to authorize a state funeral for the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient upon his death, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 34 will expand Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield to include Newtonia Battlefields in the National Park Service.