Health care plan outlined for kids of working poor

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997 | 2:23 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Savings from the Medicaid program will enable the state to start a health insurance program for about 20,000 children of Nevada's working poor, Gov. Bob Miller said today.

The new program, to be called Nevada Check-up, will go into effect April 1 and parents will be able to choose from health maintenance providers, the governor said in remarks prepared for news conferences in Reno and Las Vegas.

It is designed to cover children whose parents earn too much to qualify for Nevada's Medicaid program but not enough to buy insurance on their own. The governor said exact details of family income eligibility levels and children's ages have not been determined.

He said he will seek help on the final formula from health care providers, the public and legislators.

Sixty-five percent of the cost of the program will be paid with federal funds generated by a new tax on cigarettes approved by Congress. In the first year of the program, the federal government will send Nevada $13 million and Nevada will pick up $7 million.

The governor said Nevada's share comes from savings in the Medicaid program, which has experienced lower enrollment than expected. The state spending, Miller said, is enabled by legislation sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas.

"It is our obligation to our children to take advantage of this program in Nevada, and to do so now," Miller said. "It is up to us to create an efficient, quality program that can provide for health care needs of uninsured children in our state."

It is estimated that 69,000 children are uninsured in Nevada.

Miller said insurance coverage might be offered to uninsured working parents at certain income levels higher than those who qualify for Medicaid.

As an example, he said if the $21,500 Medicaid family income eligibility cap were lifted under Nevada Check-up to $24,000, then 5,000 additional children under age 6 would be covered.

Similarly, increased income caps could add 15,000 children ages 6 to 18.

The governor said the program will provide high-quality health care equal to the most prevalent HMO package available in Nevada and parents will be "able to choose from HMO providers."

Miller said as chairman of the National Governors' Association, he negotiated with Congress and the Clinton administration to craft an affordable program for children's health coverage during budget discussions last July.

"Those negotiations are now bearing fruit for our uninsured children," Miller said.

He also praised his friend, President Clinton, saying he provided the impetus for the expanded coverage.

"I can say this is certainly an historic time in Nevada in our effort to create healthier families and brighter futures for all the children," Miller said.

Nevada is getting a head start on neighboring California, which won't start its program until July. Miller said 20,000 children will be eligible in the first year for the Nevada program and another 26,800 youngsters will qualify within two years of the start of the program as the federal and state governments provide more money.

Applications for eligibility will be available beginning in January.