UM System Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves on Thursday doubled down on the University of Missouri System's and MU Health Care's stance over ongoing negotiations with Anthem.
Graves' remarks came days before a scheduled public hearing in the Missouri Senate over the MU Health Care and Anthem negotiations.
Failed negotiations between MU Health Care and Anthem left more than 90,000 patients without coverage on April 1.
MU Health Care was seeking a 39% increase in prices over the next three years, which Anthem said was four times the rate of inflation. Anthem said MU Health Care rejected its offers and canceled meetings with the deadline looming, according to past KOMU 8 reporting.
The Board of Curators met Thursday in St. Joseph.
"I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the work that has been done by UM System and MU Health Care leaders in raising the issue and in advocating for the needs of patients in Central Missouri," Graves said. "As curators, we understand the importance of these negotiations for ensuring the long-term sustainability of our health system and preserving local access to care for rural Missourians. Headed into the public hearing on Monday, I want to reaffirm the board’s steadfast support for MU Health Care’s principled stance and willingness to stand up to Anthem."
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KOMU 8 News takes A Closer Look at why Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and MU Health Care didn't reach a deal to renew their contract and how th…
Anthem said in a March 31 statement that it had proposed payment increases that were in line with other Missouri health systems and that MU Health Care's asks would "increase health care costs many times faster than the wage growth for Missouri consumers."
"We cannot agree to price hikes of this magnitude for our members," Anthem told KOMU 8 the day before Anthem and MU Health Care's contract ended. "Standing up for affordable care for all Missourians is part of our mission."
The UM System wrote on social media that Graves believes MU Health Care is advocating for patient needs, emphasizing the importance of health system sustainability and rural health care access.
Following the April 1 negotiation deadline, both parties released statements blaming the other.
The Senate Insurance and Banking Committee will convene for a hearing over the negotiations at 1 p.m. Monday, according to the Missouri Senate website.
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