HB 1625 -- NOTICE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR THE STATE CHILDREN'S HEALTH
INSURANCE PROGRAM

SPONSOR:  Nance

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Insurance
Policy by a vote of 11 to 0.

Beginning January 1, 2010, this bill requires the reporting of
health insurance information on Missouri income tax returns for
all dependent children claimed.  If any child does not have
health care coverage and the taxpayer's household income does not
exceed the highest income level under the federal poverty
guidelines, the Department of Revenue must provide notice of the
possible eligibility for the State Children's Health Insurance
Program (SCHIP) and enrollment information as developed by the
Department of Social Services to the taxpayer.

The Department of Revenue, in collaboration with the Department
of Social Services, must annually report to the Governor and the
General Assembly on the number of families claiming a state
exemption for dependent children, the number claiming a state
exemption for dependent children who indicate they have no
dependent health coverage, the number receiving information on
SCHIP, and the number who applied for SCHIP after the
notification.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of More than
$208,778 in FY 2011, More than $243,255 in FY 2012, and More than
$245,341 in FY 2013.  No impact on Other State Funds in FY 2011,
FY 2012, and FY 2013.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will help more eligible
children receive health insurance coverage.  Currently, there are
approximately 130,000 children without coverage, approximately
87,000 of whom could be eligible for the State Children's Health
Insurance Program.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Nance; Scott Gee,
Citizens for Missouri Children; and Partnership for Children.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:11 pm