Wider coverage sought for kids

04/20/2006

Pointing to a growing number of uninsured children in the state, several Democrats on Wednesday called for expanded public health care coverage and better outreach to parents.

A report from the Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota, citing Minnesota Department of Health figures, said 68,000 children lacked insurance in 2004. That’s up from 60,000 in 2001, according to adjusted Health Department data.

“What we don’t invest and let slide and postpone, we will pay for over a lifetime,” said Jim Koppel, the group’s executive director.

About three-quarters of the uninsured children qualify for public programs, but aren’t covered because their parents don’t know they’re eligible, can’t handle the paperwork or are deterred by complicated program rules, said Koppel and Sen. Linda Berglin, DFL-Minneapolis.

Berglin is pushing a bill to add more people to subsidized health programs and help them get prescription drugs. Her proposal would be covered by a $122 million surplus projected to amass in a health care fund tied to the MinnesotaCare program for the working poor.

— Associated Press