- Perfected -
SS/SCS/SB 632 - This act expands health care coverage for children. It extends coverage under the Department of Social Services to include all uninsured Missouri children under 19 years of age from families under 300% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, this includes families with available annual incomes up to $48,150.
Five dollar copayments are required for eligible families between 185% and 300% of the poverty level. Premiums on a sliding scale ranging from $15 to $50 per month are required for eligible families between 225% and 300% of the poverty level. A family of four at 185% of the federal poverty level earns $29,693 annually. At 225%, a family of four earns $36,113 annually.
To be considered uninsured, children must have been without access to employer subsidized health care insurance for six months prior to application.
The Department of Social Services is authorized to commission a study one year after the program's implementation to study the negative effects of this new program on private health insurance coverage.
The program will terminate in the year 2002.
JOHN MESSMER