HB 2159 establishes a licensing system for naturopathic doctors in Missouri by creating the "Board of Naturopathic Medicine" within the Division of Professional Registration. The bill defines naturopathic medicine as a system using natural therapies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and specifies that licensed practitioners can perform common diagnostic procedures (like physical exams and lab tests) and minor office procedures (such as injections and allergy testing), but cannot conduct surgery or use general anesthesia. To practice, naturopathic doctors must complete an approved education program and pass a national professional examination. This bill directly affects naturopathic doctors seeking licensure in Missouri and sets clear boundaries for their scope of practice.
SB 1147 would establish new requirements for insurance plans to cover mental health treatments. It directly affects individuals with mental health conditions who rely on insurance for care, aiming to ensure comprehensive coverage. The bill, currently referred to the Senate Insurance and Banking Committee, proposes specific provisions for insurance coverage but does not detail exact mechanisms in the provided abstract. As a proposed policy change, it seeks to address gaps in mental health care access through insurance mandates.
HB 2275 requires Missouri health care facilities (hospitals, long-term care facilities, and hospices) to allow at least two compassionate care visitors simultaneously for patients or residents during at least six hours of daily visiting hours, including weekends and holidays. It mandates 24-hour visitation access when appropriate, permits visitors to leave and return during visitation periods, and ensures parents/guardians can be present with minor children. The law adds penalties for facilities that violate these visitation requirements. It applies directly to health care facilities and patients/residents seeking compassionate care support.
HB 2513 requires healthcare providers to create and maintain written, physician-approved individualized care plans for children under 18 with rare or medically complex conditions (defined as conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people nationally or requiring specialized management). The bill mandates annual reviews of these plans, updates after hospitalizations, and specific emergency care instructions within the plan. It requires hospitals and emergency services to report significant protocol deviations (any change from the care plan causing or risking harm) to the child’s primary specialist within 24 hours. The law also establishes training for healthcare professionals on adhering to these care plans and encourages a centralized registry of plans for authorized access. The provisions become effective March 1, 2027.
HB 2242 provides state funding to help public school districts hire licensed school nurses and mental health professionals. School districts can apply for a state supplement covering up to the full salary (including experience) for one nurse or mental health professional per school, with preference given to schools with the greatest need - based on factors like student health ratios, free/reduced lunch eligibility, and Title I funding. Districts may also use the funds to reimburse telehealth services for remote access to these professionals, subject to parental consent. The bill creates dedicated state funds for these supplements, ensuring unspent money doesn’t revert to general revenue and must be used solely for this purpose.
HB 2374 prohibits health care providers from denying any health care service to a minor child based on the child's vaccination status. It also bans physicians or medical practices from terminating a minor patient's care solely because a parent or guardian refuses to consent to vaccinations for the child. The bill directly affects minors, their parents/guardians, and health care providers by requiring equal access to services regardless of vaccination choices. Key provisions explicitly forbid both denial of care and dismissal of minor patients due to vaccination-related decisions. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled and first reading).
SB 842, titled "Cindi's Law," requires medical facilities to perform a p53 test on all abnormal endometrial tissue samples collected for diagnosis. This applies specifically to samples obtained through endometrial sampling procedures (tissue collection from the uterine lining). The p53 test detects protein abnormalities to help assess cancer invasiveness, severity, and prognosis, supplementing existing diagnostic tests. The law mandates this addition to standard testing protocols for uterine cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. It directly affects healthcare providers conducting endometrial biopsies in Missouri.
HB 1638 increases the Alzheimer's State Plan Task Force from 21 to 22 members, adding two representatives from voluntary health organizations and one from Missouri veterans' homes. The bill specifies the task force's composition, including members with lived experience (early-stage Alzheimer's patients and family caregivers), healthcare professionals, and representatives from long-term care sectors. The task force must assess state programs, update Missouri's integrated Alzheimer's plan, address health disparities, and coordinate with federal efforts, delivering initial and annual reports to the governor and legislature. It requires the task force to operate until December 31, 2033, with specific term lengths for members appointed after 2026. This bill modifies the task force's structure and reporting obligations to improve coordination and response to Alzheimer's disease in Missouri.
HB 2372 modifies Missouri health care laws primarily by establishing new policies for student medication access and hospital investments. It requires schools to allow students with asthma or anaphylaxis to self-administer prescribed medication under specific conditions, including physician approval, demonstrated skill, and written treatment plans (§ 191.1146). The bill also changes hospital investment rules, permitting up to 50% of "available funds" to be invested in certain stocks, bonds, or mutual funds (§ 96.192), subject to revenue source restrictions. Additionally, it designates "Aneurysm Awareness Month," "Infertility Awareness Week," and "PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day" in Missouri, though these are commemorative and do not alter policy.
HB 1920 requires Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services to create an education program promoting respect for health care professionals and informing the public about legal consequences of assaulting them. It allows hospitals to receive state reimbursement for two years of security-related property/technology costs (compliant with federal standards) and for three years of security personnel payroll costs, funded through a new dedicated "Hospital Security Fund." The fund, supported by state appropriations and other sources, must be used solely for these reimbursements, with unspent balances at the end of each biennium not reverting to general revenue. The program expires on August 28, 2029.
