Eligible employees may choose which plan they prefer based on services provided, areas of the state served and extra costs. Harlan suggested an open enrollment period in which businesses would indicate their intent to participate in the plan, although their decision would not be binding. Eight health maintenance organizations now provide health coverage for approximately 137,000 people in the plan, according to Ron Meyer, executive director of Missouri Consolidated. With such a large number of covered workers, the state is able to negotiate bulk-rate contracts. Big business and government can take advantage of pools because of their size.
Farmers are a particular problem.
Not unexpectedly, Harlan's proposal is backed by some business organizations. Our costs are going up this year and have been for several years. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce, however, has voiced its opposition to the bill. But Rep. Scott Lakin, D-Kansas City, argued that the Chamber led the charge against the cooperatives in 1994. Lakin, who once sold insurance, said he never encountered an employer who provided health insurance because of tax incentives.