Health system underscored its shared commitment to the health care of Missouri communities with state lawmakers 

University of Missouri Health Care representatives testified in front of the Missouri Senate Insurance and Banking Committee earlier today to discuss the stalled negotiations with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. During the hearing, MU Health Care expressed its commitment to preserving access and providing the best possible care for the residents of Central Missourian. To continue delivering the essential care Central Missourians depend on, MU Health Care made clear that it will not be bullied into an unfair agreement by Anthem.  

“Today we stood alongside our patients, community leaders and local businesses to share the negative impact Anthem’s tactics have had on our patients and community. Our hope is to continue to work with those who have a shared interest in the health of our communities to ensure local access to advanced care long into the future,” said Dr. Ted Choma, Chair, University Physicians. “To be a public not-for-profit health system means that we operate to fulfill our mission, a truth that is fundamentally different from that of Anthem, which must generate profits for shareholders. Today’s hearing was a critical step forward in gaining a shared understanding of how Anthem has refused to adequately and fairly reimburse MU Health Care for the cost of care, walking away from negotiations and putting pressure on patients.”

As a public academic health system grounded in service to patients, students and the health of Missouri, MU Health Care raised the following points in the hearing:  

• Commitment to Mission: Like other public not-for-profit health systems, MU Health Care relies on its operating margin to reinvest in clinical care, education, research, emerging technology and the community. Without this, MU Health Care faces an existential threat to its ability to retain top physicians, deliver new services and invest in cutting-edge care.  
• Sustainability of Local Health Care: Hospitals across the country are facing significant challenges including workforce shortages, payer challenges, inflation, urgent investments in technology and cybersecurity. MU Health Care’s operating costs have risen approximately 7% year over year and reimbursement from insurers does not automatically adjust to address such significant cost increases.
• Fair Rates: MU Health Care is simply requesting rates on par with those paid by other managed care companies in the region and comparable to the rates Anthem pays other academic health systems. Without fair payment from Anthem, MU Health Care, the region’s only academic health system and one of only two safety net providers in the state, is being forced to fight for its future while defending the health of an entire region.

MU Health Care leaders are encouraged that this hearing has prompted Anthem to re-open the negotiations but said it would be premature to respond to the verbal offers made during the hearing without seeing a formal written proposal.   

Contact: Eric Maze, mazee@health.missouri.edu, 573-884-3656