Funding will help Mo HealthNet administrators and providers avoid redundant, unnecessary or contra-indicated drugs or procedures while expediting needed treatment for Missourians.

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt yesterday announced he will recommend a $15 million increase for the Healthcare Technology Fund in his budget to support Mo HealthNet. The significant increase is part of his plan to enhance health care services for low income Missourians and will support ongoing access to care for the nearly 830,000 Missourians served by Mo HealthNet.

"We benefit from the use of technology everyday whether it is secure online credit card purchases or when the history of our vehicle maintenance is available at a Jiffy Lube," Blunt said. "It is important that we also use secure technology to enhance the delivery of health care services for Missourians. The advantages of technology are numerous, and we can use these technologies to deliver high-quality health care while lowering prices and improving access."

"Governor Blunt's vision and leadership for updating the Mo HealthNet Program through technology is foundational to the transformation of Mo HealthNet to a coordinated, patient-centered program focused on wellness," said Department of Social Services Director Deborah Scott. "These electronic technologies assist providers in coordinating care, improving health care outcomes for Mo HealthNet participants and ensuring that health care dollars are spent wisely."

Blunt's budget recommendation for the Healthcare Technology Fund will support the new secure electronic health records system for Mo HealthNet. The system will help make it possible to deliver a broad array of data to Mo HealthNet physicians to assist them in making better informed diagnoses and treatment decisions for their patients. The governor's funding will help Mo HealthNet administrators and providers avoid redundant, unnecessary or contra-indicated drugs or procedures while expediting needed treatment for Missourians.

"The new Mo HealthNet electronic system is a great tool, and the best Web tool we have used," said Russ Lincoln, Kneibert Clinic in Poplar Bluff.