HOLDEN PUSHES WOMEN'S HEALTH DURING CAPE VISIT

Missouri Gov. Bob Holden wants state lawmakers to provide better health care for women.

During a visit to the Cross Trails Medical Center Friday afternoon, Holden outlined a four-point approach to better health care for women.

Holden said he would push legislation that will:

* Allow women to have access to their obstetrician/gynecologist whenever it is "medically necessary." Missouri law currently only requires health plans to cover one annual visit without a doctor's referral.

* Require insurance companies that cover prescription drugs to also cover prescription contraceptives.

* Require women to be notified annually about covered services such as Pap tests and mammograms.

* Require health coverage for bone marrow density testing and medical therapies to fight osteoporosis.

"One extra doctor's visit, one more reminder, one extra test, one more prescription covered, all these can make a difference in women's health," Holden told area doctors and nurses who attended the news conference. "I want to make a difference so we can greatly improve the life and health of women in Missouri."

Holden's legislation, which will be introduced next week in the General Assembly, primarily would impose requirements on health insurance companies.

Added cost

The added cost to employers would amount to about $2 per employee, Holden staffers said after the news conference.

Holden said there are legitimate medical reasons for taking prescription contraceptives other than just to prevent pregnancies.

"We are talking about a health-related issue," he said following the news conference.

Holden suggested it was only fair for health benefits to include coverage of prescription contraceptives. "Many of the plans cover Viagra, but don't cover prescription contraceptives," he said.

Holden said his legislation could be helped by the fact that the state's political leaders recognize that the "women's vote" will play a key role in future elections.

"It's time that women's health issues be on a par with men's health issues," he told those at the news conference.

Dr. Reno Cova of the Cross Trails Medical Center said women who currently don't have health coverage aren't getting Pap smears or mammograms that would detect cervical cancer and breast cancer.

Holden said such tests are important. "We know 80 percent of the women who die from cervical cancer have not had a Pap test in at least five years," he said.

Early detection, the governor said, is the best way to ensure survival.

Earlier Friday, Holden visited Dexter, Mo., to discuss his plan that would provide prescription drug coverage for Missouri's elderly.