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Blunt Includes Sickle Patients in Chronic Care Plan

By Kelley Weiss

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-572477.mp3

Kansas City, MO – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt wants to expand chronic care coverage as part of his new Missouri HealthNet plan. KCUR's Kelley Weiss reports.

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Governor Blunt plans to expand state health coverage for low-income Missourians with sickle cell disease - a blood disorder that affects about 1,500 Missourians, primarily African Americans. This is part of the Governor's Missouri HealthNet plan that is expected to replace Medicaid. A state run program created last year already covers Medicaid patients with long-term chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Now, Blunt hopes to improve access for Medicaid eligible patients with sickle cell to see specialists, go to treatment centers and get genetic screening tests.

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