Legislation is Signed to Benefit Missourians
A signature by St Louis – Gov. Bob Holden on the three pieces of legislation, promoted them to become law. This will benefit citizens of Missouri. The three pieces of legislation includes mental health parity, improvement of infection control practices, and senior tax credits for unusual property tax increases.
The mental health parity legislation, Senate Bill 855, will allow Missourians, who have group health insurance, access to mental health coverage in the same manner offered for other health conditions.
It has been a long time, but by working with many dedicated advocates, finally we provided direction and education on this issue. Now many citizens will have greater access to mental health services. This is a significant step toward the equal treatment of physical and mental health and a step that will improve the overall health of our community.
In the piece of legislation, which is also related to Health, Holden signed Senate Bill 1279. It is designed to help infection control efforts in hospitals and other health clinics It facilities and focus attention on ways to improve infection control practices. The issue became a legislative priority following the death of Buzz Westfall, a St. Louis County executive, who died from a staph infection.
This legislation increases health facility by imposing reporting requirements and standards. This will ensure that the Department of Health and Senior Services has information on the type and number of infections occurring in Missouri. It requires the collection and publication of the incidents of facility, acquired infections in a hospital or other health facilities. Based on these reports, Department of Health establishes an infection control advisory panel to work in co-ordination with the department in tracking the number of infections in Missouri. Lastly, it requires facilities to have procedures for monitoring and enforcing compliance with infection control regulations and standards.
Holden also signed the Homestead Preservation Act, Senate Bill 730. It protects senior citizens with a fixed income from sharp property tax increases. The new law will allow those over 65 and others who qualify, to receive a credit for property tax increases exceeding five percent annually.