Timothy McBride, PhD, professor at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis and an expert on healthcare policy and health economics, has been named chairman of the MO HealthNet Oversight Committee for the state of Missouri.
The MO HealthNet agency in Missouri (formerly Division of Medical Services) is one of six agencies reporting to the Department of Social Services, and is primarily responsible for administering the Medicaid program.
A member and vice chair of the committee since 2010, McBride will chair the committee, created by the Missouri Legislature in 2007 with evaluating the MO HealthNet program and its implementation.
MO HealthNet assures quality health care through development of service delivery systems, standards setting and enforcement, and education of providers and participants. It is fiscally accountable for maximum and appropriate utilization of resources.
“It is a privilege and honor to serve in this role for the state, and to work with Dr. Ian McCaslin, the director of MO HealthNet and other esteemed members of the committee,” McBride says. “I expect that this year much of our attention will be focused on the issue of implementing the Affordable Care Act and whether the state should implement an expansion of the Medicaid program.
“This committee can bring evidence to the public and the Legislature on this issue, to help everyone make an informed decision for Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens and our taxpayers. I’m looking forward to leading the discussion.”