Health Care

The Health Care Protection Act bars the use of a restriction known as “step therapy" requiring a patient to try and fail on one or more treatments preferred by the insurance company before they can access a doctor-recommended treatment.

Illinois Democrats passed measure last month that sought to codify federal law if it was stricken down by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Missouri — which has some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country — was the first state to ban almost all abortions 2 years ago, leaving thousands of residents seeking other ways to access the procedure.

Othel Moore died at the Jefferson City Correctional Center in December while restrained and in isolation. Four corrections officers were fired in March for their actions related to his death.

Pharmacy manufacturers, who are playing defense on similar bills across the country, want Missouri Gov. Mike Parson to veto the legislation because the discounted prescriptions are often sold to patients at full retail price.

A decision Thursday by the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a challenge to the federal Food and Drug Administration's approval of mifepristone doesn’t change the availability of the abortion-inducing medication for patients in Missouri and Illinois. But many say they expect other challenges to come soon.

Health care services in Missouri prisons are declining, according to a prison reform advocacy group. The nonprofit says providers are leaving, emergency care is getting denied and 66 residents have died this year.

Millions of new parents in the U.S. are swamped by medical debt during and after pregnancy, forcing many to cut back on food, clothing, and other essentials.

The chief community health officer at SSM Health hopes that a joint effort of local hospital systems will result in improved health outcomes in St. Louis.

The Federal Reimbursement allowance is set to expire at the end of September. The bill in question would extend the tax through September 2029.