Missouri – On Monday, Governor Mike Kehoe took another important step to support Missouri’s agricultural roots and rural prosperity by signing Senate Bills 79 and 82. The law, which got backing from both parties, focuses on two important issues for keeping rural life going: access to healthcare and water preservation.
The bill signings took place in two important places: SB 79 was signed at the Missouri Farm Bureau Headquarters in Jefferson City, and SB 82 was signed at the Center for Soy Innovation. These places made it clear how closely the law is tied to the people it is meant to help: farmers, ranchers, and families living in the state’s rural heartland.
“Agriculture and rural communities are the backbone of Missouri,” said Governor Kehoe. “By expanding health care access and protecting our water resources for future generations, these bills ensure that the families who feed, fuel, and clothe this state have the support they need to keep doing what they do best.”
Senator Kurtis Gregory and Representative Brad Pollitt are the sponsors of Senate Bill 79, which focuses on problems with healthcare in rural areas. One of its main parts is that it sets up a system for health benefit contracts given through membership groups. This could give people in underprivileged areas more options.
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It also directs MO HealthNet to provide coverage for essential hearing devices, such as cochlear implants, and strengthens access to telehealth, including audio-only services. Also, the bill brings prenatal testing procedures in line with current medical standards to make care better for pregnant women.
Advocates and healthcare experts have long pointed out problems with rural care. This law aims to fix those problems. For a lot of families in far-off counties, where there aren’t many hospitals or experts, the bill is more than just a policy; it’s a lifeline.
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SB 82, on the other hand, deals with another important issue: water. Because agriculture depends on a consistent and safe water supply, this law sets up a way for the Department of Natural Resources to better control the exports of Missouri water. The purpose is simple: to maintain and keep this important resource safe for Missouri’s own needs, whether they be for farming, business, or government use.
Senator Jamie Burger and Representative Cameron Parker sponsored SB 82, which strengthens the state’s role in keeping an eye on and managing one of its most important resources: its water.
Governor Kehoe has made it clear with these legislative initiatives that Missouri’s farmers and rural towns are not simply a part of the state’s past; they are also a big part of its future.
