Health insurance across state lines proposal heard by committee

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1/19/2010: Newspaper Story - The House voted on a concurrent resolution to oppose the health care bills in Congress.

1/28/2010: Radio Story - Proposed health care bill provides options for Missouri.

Intro:	Critics told the House Health Insurance Committee a bill allowing Missourians to buy health insurance in other states will lead to cherry picking. From Jefferson City, here's Alon Gilboa.
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The bill would make health insurance from Missouri's eight neighboring states accessible to state residents.

House Majority Whip Jason Smith, sponsor of the bill, says his plan is intended to drive down insurance prices through competition.

Columbia Representative Mary Still of the House Health Insurance Committee says the plan sounds good at first.

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Description: "If you're trying to get insurance and you're young and healthy, you're going to go to the place with the least requirements so you can get it cheaper in any state nearby."

But ends up leaving the state at a major disadvantage.

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Description: "It sort of leaves the more sickly people to us in the state."

The committee took no immediate action regarding the bill.

From Jefferson City, I'm Alon Gilboa.

Intro:	The House Health Insurance Committee heard a bill that will let you buy health insurance in another state. Alon Gilboa has more from Jefferson City.
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Wrap: Missourians currently have to make due with the state's existing insurance network if they want to buy health insurance.

A new bill will allow state residents to purchase an insurance plan from one of Missouri's eight neighboring states if they find a cheaper deal.

Sponsor of the bill, House Majority Whip Jason Smith says this is necessary to help Missourians save money in tough economic times.

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Description: "The way that I look at it is more competition. You can look at cheaper insurance by competition of insurance provider in eight different states, whether they are high-risk or low-risk claimants."

Critics argue the state will lose 23 million dollars in lost insurance premium taxes.

The committee took no immediate action regarding the bill.

From the State Capitol, I'm Alon Gilboa.

Intro:	A representative from a state insurance coalition is urging the House Health Insurance Committee to reject a bill allowing Missourians to buy health insurance in other states. With more from Jefferson City, here's Alon Gilboa.
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Wrap: Missouri's health insurance companies could start feeling the heat from neighboring states as a bill designed to spur competition is discussed in a house committee.

The sponsor of the bill says this will lead to more affordable coverage.

Shannon Cooper, representing the Missouri Insurance Coalition, says this could mean bad news for insurance providers in the state.

He says healthy residents could flock to other states, leaving only the sick in Missouri.

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Description: "Those of us in the health insurance industry, we welcome competition to try and bring prices down lower for our consumers. But, we have a great fear about the cherrypicking."

Other critics also point out the state will lose 23 million dollars in lost insurance premium taxes.

The committee took no immediate action regarding the bill.

From Jefferson City, I'm Alon Gilboa.