Schneider proposes plan to expand health insurance to uninsured N.D. children

Teri Finneman, The Forum
Published Tuesday, July 08, 2008

FARGO - North Dakota needs to do more to help uninsured children get access to health care, Rep. Jasper Schneider of Fargo said Tuesday morning.

During a news conference, the Democratic-NPL candidate for insurance commissioner outlined his proposal to provide 3,300 more children access to health insurance.

Schneider wants to expand the state’s Healthy Steps income eligibility limits from 150-percent net income of the poverty line to 200 percent.

“It’s a top priority for me to make sure our youngest residents have access to health insurance,” Schneider said.

In addition to increasing eligibility limits, Schneider wants to form an advisory council to study how to expand access to health insurance to all North Dakota children.

Approximately 15,000 children in the state don’t have health insurance now, he said.

For more on this story, read tomorrow’s Forum.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Teri Finneman at (701) 241-5560

Any questions may be directed to: rsi5@srt.com