Medicaid Forums Come To KC

Missouri's Medicaid Director is in Kansas City this week, gathering public input on the state's medical assistance program. KCUR's Elana Gordon reports.

Dr. Ian McCaslin is in charge of the state's Medicaid program, otherwise known as Missouri Health Net. He visited Truman High School in Independence yesterday to discuss a new health care home initiative. But he also asked those attending about their general concerns with the state program.

McCaslin: Somebody chime in, what's the most common problem out here?

Diane Mack of Blue Springs told McCaslin that her daughter was born prematurely and has a lot of health problems. But she says the now 31 year old can't get the services she needs through Medicaid.

Mack: Even though she has complete coverage through Medicaid, they will not cover the doctors, the counseling, the physical therapy.

McCaslin says he agrees there are major problems, but he also says many are national issues that extend beyond state lines. The public meeting is one of more than ten taking place throughout the state. The next one will be held today in Kansas City at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center.

Funding for health care coverage on KCUR has been provided by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.

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