PRESS GROUP OPPOSES PANEL'S INSURANCE PLAN

The Missouri Press Association opposes a recommendation by the Missouri Legislative Joint Interim Committee on Managed Care.

"The committee is recommending that the Missouri Department of Insurance be required to approve all marketing materials for managed care plans," said Doug Crews, executive director of the Missouri Press Association.

Crews was guest speaker Thursday at a noon luncheon of the Advertising Federation of Southeast Missouri at Drury Lodge in Cape Girardeau.

Crews said the MPA didn't feel that some insurance executive should have to pre-approve marketing materials, which would include advertisements -- print, broadcast, outdoor and other.

"How would you like the Missouri Department of Insurance serving as a giant advertising account supervisor for medical and insurance advertising?" he asked.

The legislative committee, in presenting a total of 33 recommendations concerning managed care in its final report, explained that state law needs to ensure that people in managed health care plans get what they pay for and that insurers provide what they promise.

Sen. Joe Maxwell, D-Mexico, and Rep. Tim Harlan, D-Columbia, are co-chairmen of the committee. The committee will meet next month to draft actual legislation and decide whether the proposals should be handled as one package or in several bills. Maxwell said there is wide bipartisan support for the proposals.

Crews said the MPA was urging ad clubs throughout the state to send letters of concern to the committee co-chairmen at Jefferson City.

Crews discussed the advertising issue with more than 30 members of the local advertising federation.

He also described the MPA and its functions.

"We're an advertising representative for Missouri newspapers," said Crews. "We help place advertising in any combination of newspapers."

More than 300 weekly and 55 daily newspaper make up the MPA, which was established more than 125 years ago, in 1867. About 95 percent of the state's newspapers are members of the MPA, said crews.

The organization provides workshops, holds an annual convention, and sponsored a Hall of Fame.

One of the MPA events is the annual "Newspaper Day at the Capitol," where newspaper representatives meet with legislators.