Attorney General's News Release

September 15, 2000

Nominees to Missouri Foundation for Health submitted

Jefferson City, Mo. — The Community Advisory Committee for the new Missouri Foundation for Health has forwarded the names of 35 Missourians to Gov. Mel Carnahan and Attorney General Jay Nixon for selection to the 15-member Board of Directors for the foundation. The foundation was created in an out-of-court settlement of a lawsuit brought by the state of Missouri against Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri arising out of its conversion to a for-profit operation.

The Board of Directors will be responsible for allocating millions of dollars each year to improve healthcare access and services for the poor in the Foundation's 85 county service area and the city of St. Louis. The Missouri Foundation for Health will be funded by $12.8 million in cash from the settlement and 15 million shares of RightChoice, Blue Cross's for-profit subsidiary.

The 35 nominees were selected by the 13-member community advisory committee from more than 200 applicants.

The nominees are: Julia Allen, St. Louis; John Auner, M.D., Ironton; Clifton Berry, St. Louis; John Bogert, D.D.S., Springfield; Mary "Mikki" Brewster, St. Louis; Melvin Brown, St. Louis; Patricia Chartock, St. Louis; Erma Cunningham, Jefferson City; Rory Ellinger, University City; Buford (Bo) Fraser, Columbia;

Also, Robert Fulton, Patton; Martha Gragg, Milan; Jan Horton, Springfield; Coleen Kivlahan, M.D., Columbia; James Knight, M.D., St. Louis; Richard Kurz, St. Louis; Susan Lenz, Ellington; Dana (Kathy) Martin, Jefferson City; F. William McCalpin, St. Louis; Jody Miller, Steelville; Eric Nesbit, St. Louis;. Arnold Parks, Jefferson City; William Ray, Columbia;

Also, Tracy Reed, Florissant; Pastor B.T. Rice, St. Louis; Will Ross, M.D., St. Louis; Don Rudd, St. Louis; Geeta Sant, Creve Coeur; Mary Schantz, Jefferson City; Michael Schwend, Kirksville; Sarah Scroggins, St. Louis; Alberta Slavin, Clayton; Amy Smoucha, St. Louis; Karl (Eugene) Wilson, Wentzville; and Lorna Wilson, Jefferson City.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

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