JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri’s chief executive had a busy week, traveling all over the state speaking at the Missouri Farm Bureau annual meeting, greeting President Donald Trump, and participating in several health discussion.
Gov. Mike Parson, a farmer by trade, kicked off his week by speaking at the Missouri Farm Bureau’s annual meeting at the Tan-Tar-A Resort.
“Missouri’s future is bright, extremely bright. The economy looks good. But if you want these young men and women to stay within the borders of the state of Missouri, we must be leaders,” said Parson. “I often say being a leader isn’t about being the best. Being a leader is about making the people around you better.”
Grateful for our hardworking Missouri farmers who keep our nation fed. Thank you @MOFarmBureau for having me speak at your annual conference. I am proud to be a farmer! pic.twitter.com/WRLeCf8hNS
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) December 3, 2018
Parson hosted the first rural health care summit on Tuesday, bringing together stakeholder and industry leaders to identify working solutions to address the challenges and unmet healthcare needs in rural Missouri.
“A key part of our efforts to improve Missouri’s workforce and infrastructure is improving our citizens’ health and healthcare by developing better access to providers and hospitals, especially in our rural areas,” said Parson. “Almost 40 percent of Missouri’s citizens live in rural areas, and we are committed to making sure they too have access to both preventive and emergency care when it’s needed. We need to look at innovative solutions to increase providers and access to quality healthcare in rural areas.”
He continued the discussion on health care on Wednesday in St. Louis. A group of business leaders met with Parson to discuss the rising cost of health care. He also hosted a roundtable discussion on the opioid crisis.
Parson to host business panel discussion in St. Louis about rising health care costs
Governor Mike Parson Attends Roundtable Discussion in St. Louis to Discuss Opioid Crisis
The health discussion continued on Thursday.
Finished a roundtable discussion focused on the expansion of behavioral health services through Telehealth. This technology is an innovative way to meet the healthcare needs of Missourians across the state. #MOHealthWK pic.twitter.com/c0ydYfMjsU
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) December 6, 2018
Talking with healthcare experts from @TrumanMedKC about the quality of care mothers and babies receive in Missouri and how we can improve as a state. We have amazing physicians and medical personnel who need the right tools to be successful. #MOHealthWK pic.twitter.com/jgK43m1lVR
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) December 6, 2018
On Pearl Harbor Day, Parson greeted Trump in Kansas City before hitting the road back to Jefferson City for a meeting on the Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Task Force. He then headed to Linn, Missouri, for a forum on the Justice Reinvestment Initiative.
Parson urges innovative solutions to improving criminal justice system
Parson, Schmitt, Richardson look at ways to deal with Medicaid fraud
Alisha Shurr was a reporter for The Missouri Times and The Missouri Times Magazine. She joined The Missouri Times in January 2018 after working as a copy editor for her hometown newspaper in Southern Oregon. Alisha is a graduate of Kansas State University.