Locals voice frustrations over Anthem and MU Health Care negotiations during Saturday town hall

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Locals gathered at the American Legion in Columbia Saturday afternoon to discuss the ongoing contract dispute between Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and MU Health Care.

The meeting, organized by LiUNA Local 955, aimed to provide community members with updates and a space to voice their concerns. Representatives from MU Health Care, along with a retired physician, made up the panel. However, many in attendance were expecting to hear from a representative from Anthem but none were present.

Since the two sides failed to reach an agreement at the beginning of the month, MU Health Care is no longer considered in-network for Anthem patients, impacting thousands across Mid-Missouri.

Many attendees came seeking answers but said they left with even more questions.

The meeting began at 1 p.m. and wrapped up around 2:30 p.m. Patients and union members were given about an hour to directly voice their concerns to the panel. Carissa Tarnowski, who attended the meeting, emphasized the wide-reaching impact of the contract dispute.

"I think both entities need to realize that since MU has such a large presence in Mid-Missouri and has now taken over Capital Region in Jefferson City, MU employees and hundreds of thousands of people are being affected by this. Quite literally half of the medical coverage in the area is being denied for such a large presence of employees who need this coverage," Tarnowski said.

The panel included Ed Weisbart, a retired physician, Tonya Johnson, Chief Operating Officer at MU Health Care, and Dr. David Mehr, also with MU Health Care.

But a seat at the panel reserved for Stephanie Vojicic, the president of Anthem remained empty.

Her absence was not overlooked by the crowd.

"I would like to say I was surprised, but obviously not, because this insurance company has done nothing but show that they don't care," attendee Alex Falm said.

Another attendee, Leslie Durrant, shared the same disappointment.

"I came primarily because it was publicized that the president of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield would be here today, and yet she's not here which gives me the impression that Anthem is not concerned about the people who are dependent upon their health care insurance coverage," Durrant said.

Many attendees expressed frustration about themselves or their loved ones needing consistent medical coverage. Johnson said MU Health provided Anthem with a list of nearly 7,000 patients who deserve continuity of care.

"Anthem is the insurance payer is the one that right now is determing if a person needs continuity of care benefits." Johnson said "We sent over a list of our patients to Anthem and said heres the list we believe meet consumer care. I think it was about 6,700 patients, and we have yet to get a reconciliation of that list back from them."

Patients said they want both parties to reach an agreement quickly.

"They're messing it up for families of all shapes and sizes. Kids, children, adults, elderly, and it's affecting everyone," Tarnowski said. "It's not about the money. It needs to be about the coverage and allowing people to seek the medical care that they've been having, and having convenient medical care for them and their families."

According to a press release, in the upcoming weeks, LiUNA Local 955 will also enter wage negotiations with the City of Columbia, MU Health Care, and the University of Missouri.

Anthem responded Sunday morning to ABC 17 News with a statement stating that its top priority is keeping healthcare both accessible and affordable.

"If it’s not affordable, it’s not accessible," Anthem spokesperson said. "The rate increases proposed by MU Health Care, across every offer they’ve made, are not affordable. No one is seeing increases over the next three years at the pace MU Health Care is demanding — particularly for the more than 80% of our clients who are self-funded and pay these costs directly. Public-sector employers, Taft-Hartley funds, local businesses, and individuals would bear the full weight of those increases."

An Anthem spokesperson added that the company has "put forward an offer that exceeds the Consumer Price Index (CPI) annually," and that the proposal includes "quality-based incentives" allowing MU Health Care to earn additional revenue by meeting performance benchmarks consistent with Anthem's broader network standards. However, according to Anthem, MU Health Care has rejected the offer and has "to date, never met the benchmarks required to earn those quality incentives."

Anthem concluded by reaffirming its position, "Our goal has always been, and remains, to have MU Health Care as part of the Anthem network — just not at any cost."