HS HB 811 -- HEALTHY MISSOURI CHILDREN CORPORATION (Lakin)

The substitute establishes a not for profit corporation that is
authorized to arrange health insurance coverage for children who
meet the eligibility requirements determined by the
corporation's board.  The board is composed of three members
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, three
members appointed by the President Pro Tem of the Senate, the
Commissioner of Education, and the directors of the Department
of Health, the Department of Insurance, the Department of Social
Services, and the Department of Mental Health.  The corporation
is prohibited from contracting with schools, school boards, or
local school districts to provide any health care services.  The
corporation is also prohibited from providing or allocating
funds for abortion or abortion-related services.  The substitute
also exempts from public disclosure any medical records and
financial information obtained by the corporation.

FISCAL NOTE:  Cost to General Revenue Fund of $0 to Unknown for
FY 1998 and FY 2000, and $0 for FY 2000.

HB 811, HCA 1 -- HEALTHY MISSOURI CHILDREN CORPORATION

CO-SPONSORS:  Lakin, Lumpe, Gaw, Dougherty

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children,
Youth & Families by a vote of 9 to 5.

This bill establishes a not for profit corporation to provide
health insurance coverage for children who are not covered by
Medicaid or private insurance.  The corporation is authorized to
determine eligibility requirements, set premiums on a sliding
scale based on need, and enter into contracts to provide
services at local schools.  The corporation is operated by a
board consisting of the directors of the Departments of Health,
Social Services, Insurance, Mental Health, Elementary and
Secondary Education and 6 members appointed by the Governor.
The bill authorizes the General Assembly to appropriate funds
for the corporation to commence operations.  The bill also
exempts from public disclosure any medical records and financial
information obtained by the corporation.

HCA 1 -- specifies that children 18 years of age or younger are
eligible for coverage through the corporation.

FISCAL NOTE:  Cost to General Revenue Fund is $0 to Unknown for
FY 1998, $0 to Unknown for FY 1999, and $0 for FY 2000.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will allow uninsured
children to obtain health insurance at better rates so that they
can afford coverage.  With welfare reform, many former welfare
recipients will be working and will need a means to provide
affordable health coverage for their children.  This bill meets
that need.  Missouri currently has 175,000 children who are
uninsured and this bill will serve to reduce that number.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Lakin, Lumpe and
Gaw; Department of Insurance; Office of Governor Carnahan;
Department of Health; Partnership for Children; Citizens for
Missouri Children; Missouri Association of School Nurses; Blue
Cross-Blue Shield; and Kaiser-Permanente.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Katharine Hickel, Research Analyst

HB 811 -- Health Insurance

Co-Sponsors:  Lakin, Lumpe, Gaw, Dougherty

This bill establishes a not for profit corporation to provide
health insurance coverage for children who are not covered by
Medicaid or private insurance.  The corporation is authorized to
determine eligibility requirements, set premiums on a sliding
scale based on need, and enter into contracts to provide
services at local schools.  The corporation is operated by a
board consisting of the directors of the Departments of Health,
Social Services, Insurance, Mental Health, Elementary and
Secondary Education and 6 members appointed by the Governor.
The bill authorizes the General Assembly to appropriate funds
for the corporation to commence operations.  The bill also
exempts from public disclosure any medical records and financial
information obtained by the corporation.