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Missouri Foundation for Health Oral History Project Transcripts

 Collection
Identifier: A3173

Scope and Contents

The collection contains transcripts for video interviews conducted from January 2009 to June 2010 with 48 individuals relating to the formation and history of the Missouri Foundation for Health. Some transcripts are accompanied by biographical data, interview guides (notes to guide the interviews’ pace and content), index to interviews, and various notes and articles. There are two research files which appear at the beginning of the collection. The transcript files are arranged alphabetically by interviewee name.

The project, supported by the Missouri Foundation for Health and the Missouri Historical Society, charts the history of the foundation from its creation in 2000 through 48 video interviews with community activists, board members, staff, and beneficiaries of early grants. Gwen Moore, Missouri Historical Society historian, conducted all 48 interviews. Unfortunately, Alberta Slavin (1930-2008), who was the board’s first chairperson, died before the project began.

Two of the interviewees, attorney Joel Ferber and Blue Cross of Missouri executive John A. O’Rourke, were involved with the litigation settlement which led to the formation of the Missouri Foundation for Health. Among the research items in the Ferber file is a copy of an article that he coauthored for the Journal of Health Law about Blue Cross nonprofit conversions. Another key document was issued by Legal Services of Eastern Missouri on June 16, 2000: The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri Settlement: A Brief Update. In eight pages this document explained the litigation settlement results, the qualifications for board members, the role of the Community Advisory Committee, how the Foundation was funded, and many other questions surrounding the new conversion foundation (B1/f.20).

Two research files contain a few excerpts from the Foundation’s archives, email and meeting minutes, from 2000 to 2006. There is also a news release from the Missouri Attorney General announcing the appointment of the Foundation’s board with brief biographies, dated November 29, 2000. The second folder contains notes used to assist in developing interview guides and a seven-page summary of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri litigation written by Gwen Moore (B1/f.1-2).

Prior to the interviews, Moore asked interviewees to complete a Biographical Information and Family History form (4 pp.) which provided current contact information; date/place of birth; spouse name; parental data (life dates, occupations); names of siblings; and interviewees’ backgrounds (education, work history, awards/ honors, religious affiliation). Approximately 25% of the interviewees completed the form for inclusion with the transcripts. Other biographical data is included for several interviewees, such as newspaper clippings and online workplace biographies. Moore began each interview by asking interviewees to provide personal, family, and educational background and to discuss their professional experiences.

Some topics that appear across the interviews are the relationship between the Community Advisory Committee and the Foundation’s Board of Directors, the extent of the involvement of Attorney General Jay Nixon and Assistant Attorney General Paul Wilson with the Foundation’s activities, and the impact of the Foundation upon healthcare in Missouri. Several former board members discussed concerns relating to balancing urban and rural interests/needs. Also related to this urban-rural balance was the representation for women and minorities on the board.

Dates

  • 2009-2010

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Historical Sketch

The Missouri Foundation for Health (the Foundation) is an independent philanthropic foundation founded in 2000. It is the largest healthcare foundation in Missouri and is one of the largest conversion foundations in the nation. The Foundation’s "mission is to eliminate underlying causes of health inequities, transform systems, and enable individuals and communities to thrive. The Missouri Foundation for Health is building a more equitable future through collaboration, convening, knowledge sharing, and strategic investment. Working in partnership with communities and nonprofits, MFH is transforming systems to eliminate inequities within all aspects of health and addressing the social and economic factors that shape health outcomes. The Foundation takes a multifaceted approach to health issues, understanding that strategic initiatives, policy, communications, and research all play a role in creating lasting impact." (https://mffh.org/the-foundation/)

In 1994, nonprofit health insurer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri sought to reorganize its managed care business into its for-profit subsidiary, RightCHOICE. The State of Missouri’s Department of Insurance initially approved the proposal, but consumer advocacy groups argued that the conversion to a for-profit entity required Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri to transfer its nonprofit assets to a nonprofit foundation. In 1996, a trial court found Blue Cross in violation of Missouri’s nonprofit law. In 1998, Judge Thomas J. Brown of the Cole County Circuit Court appointed a Special Master to oversee settlement details, which were rejected by the court despite being agreed upon by all parties. The parties asked the Supreme Court of Missouri to intervene. It suggested that the parties drop the lawsuits and negotiate a settlement independent of the Cole County Circuit Court. In 2000, the Missouri Foundation for Health (the Foundation) was created. It served the same regions served by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri which included 85 counties and the City of St. Louis.

Governor Mel Carnahan and Attorney General Jay Nixon appointed a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) which was first tasked with nominating a slate of qualified individuals for the Foundation’s 15-member board of directors. In October 2000, Governor Carnahan was killed in a plane crash and much of the responsibility for the Missouri Foundation for Health was turned over to Attorney General Nixon by Governor Roger Wilson. The Foundation’s board met for the first time on December 21, 2000.

Extent

1.25 Cubic Feet ( (3 boxes))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Transcript files are arranged alphabetically by interviewee name.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

The transcripts were transferred to Archives in 2017.

Related Materials

For video recordings of the 48 interviews (62 DVDs), please consult the Moving Image and Sound Collections Department.

General

In the following interview summaries, the Missouri Foundation for Health is referred to as “Foundation.”

Processing Information

Processed with funding from The Stuart Foundation, Inc. by Kristina Perez, 2021.

Subjects

Related Names

Creator

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Missouri Foundation for Health Oral History Project Transcripts
Status
Completed
Author
EAD by Kristina Perez using ArchivesSpace
Date
2021
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository

http://mohistory.org/society
Contact:
225 S. Skinker Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63105 United States
314-746-4510

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