STAY HEALTHY WHILE SWIMMING THIS SUMMER

Missourians are flocking to their favorite swimming areas with their families to stay cool and have fun as temperatures have soared.  Organisms that can cause recreational water illness (RWI) can be found in swimming pools, water/spray parks, hot tubs, water play areas, lakes, rivers, creeks, ponds, and oceans.
Some organisms, like Cryptosporidium that causes diarrhea, can live for days in well-maintained pools treated with chlorine.

HEALTH INSURANCE for Missourians that have been uninsured for 6+ months or longer

The Missouri Health Insurance Pool (MHIP), has announced a 23 percent reduction in premiums for its federal pool program. The pool guarantees health coverage for Missourians with pre-existing medical conditions who have been uninsured for six months or longer. The premium reduction aims to make comprehensive medical coverage accessible to Missourians who otherwise could not afford it. The Department of Insurance issued this press release: http://difp.mo.gov/news/2011/High_risk_health_insurance_pool_reduces_rates_by_nearly_25_percent.

More information about MHIP is available at http://www.mhip.org/