JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has signed House Bills (HB) 2372 and 2974 and Senate Bills (SB) 878, 999, 1019, and 1233 into law, reflecting Missouri’s commitment to improving healthcare access, transparency, and protections for vulnerable populations. “I was proud to sign six bills into law today that will improve healthcare services for Missourians across our state,” said Governor Kehoe. “From increasing telehealth access to improving the licensing process for healthcare providers, these bills play a critical role in moving Missouri’s Rural Health Transformation Program forward. I would like to thank the members of the House and Senate for their work to protect our most vulnerable, hold insurance companies accountable, and change the landscape of healthcare access and outcomes in communities across the state.” SB 999, sponsored by Senator Brad Hudson and Representative Brian Seitz, modifies provisions relating to vulnerable persons. • Creates the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” extending legal rights to infants who survive an abortion attempt. • Expands the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board and tasks the board with tracking mortality patterns within maternity care deserts. HB 2372, sponsored by Representative Tara Peters and Senator Mike Bernskoetter, modifies provisions relating to health care. • Increases access to healthcare by allowing patients to establish relationships with physicians through telehealth interactions and by reducing barriers for ambulance services to provide primary and preventative care in underserved communities via community paramedics. • Provides patients with new protections against health insurance practices that limit access to anesthesia services and contrast-enhanced mammograms. • Increases transparency on hospital pricing and on health insurance prior authorization practices. • Authorizes the Department of Health and Senior Services to begin tracking and reporting Alpha Gal Syndrome. HB 2974, sponsored by Representative Melanie Stinnett and Senator Jamie Burger, modifies provisions relating to licensure reciprocity, including waivers for health care professionals providing for telehealth services and certain interstate compacts. • Specifies that a healthcare provider who has received license reciprocity in Missouri can provide telehealth services within the profession’s scope of practice. • Allows physician assistants to practice across participating states without obtaining additional licenses. Governor Kehoe also signed: • SB 878, sponsored by Senator Travis Fitzwater and Representative Bennie Cook, modifies provisions relating to pharmaceutical drugs and devices. • SB 1019, sponsored by Senator Sandy Crawford and Representative Jim Kalberloh, modifies several provisions relating to health care. • SB 1233, sponsored by Senator Curtis Trent and Representative Mike McGirl, modifies provisions relating to activities requiring licensure. For more information on the legislation signed into law, visit house.mo.gov and senate.mo.gov. | 