Gov. Miller announces new health insurance plan

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997 | 11:55 a.m.

The "Nevada Check-Up" plan is scheduled to take effect April 1, 1998, with the federal government providing 65 percent of the funding and the state covering the rest.

In the first year of the program, the governor said federal funds will total $13 million and state funds will amount to $7 million.

The enabling legislation for the state dollars was pushed by state Sen. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas. The money came from savings in Nevada's Medicaid program as a result of lower numbers of recipients and more flexibility under new federal rules.

There are about 69,000 uninsured children in Nevada. In the first year of the "Nevada Check-Up" program, Miller said 20,000 will be eligible for coverage - and another 26,800 should become eligible within about two years.

The program will provide health care equal to the most prevalent HMO package in Nevada. Parents will be able to choose from a list of HMO providers and can start applying for eligibility in January.

Details on family income levels and children's ages haven't been worked out yet. The governor said he'll seek comments on a final formula from health providers, the public and legislators.

Miller discussed the new program at news conferences in Las Vegas and Reno. He was joined by Titus and by Assemblywomen Jan Evans, D-Sparks, and Vivian Freeman, D-Reno.