Toward a better health-care system

To the editor:

The majority of the Medicaid Reform Commission is committed to protecting our most vulnerable citizens in Missouri. We want to give our parents and grandparents, the disabled and the poor preventative and personalized health care using 21st century technology.

Last week we adopted a report outlining a new health-care system that focuses on preventative care, improving availability of quality medical care using the most advanced technology, while improving patients' choices and costs.

This vision of a new system builds partnerships between patients, providers, communities, the state and the federal government to give our seniors, disabled and poor the best health care possible. The new system focuses on keeping Missourians, especially our most vulnerable, healthy. I hope the dissenting members of the commission can look beyond the past and economic decisions and focus on the people we're going to help.

The new system dramatically changes our health-care system to ensure that the right care is given at the right time, the right place and the right cost. It makes preventative care a priority and rewards personal responsibility in maintaining healthy lifestyles. It also sets an aggressive approach to incorporating technology that will improve care by ensuring accuracy and giving real-time information to patients and providers. Such information will dramatically improve health-care quality and will allow the state to effectively eliminate provider fraud.

We are dedicated to transforming our health-care system in Missouri to provide the best care for those most in need. I hope all lawmakers will join us in this effort.

State Sen. CHARLIE SHIELDS, Chairman, Medicaid Reform Commission, Jefferson City, Mo.