Nance: Ford Bill Update, Encouraging Participation in S-CHIP, Visit From Super Bowl Champ

“The House went back in session Tuesday evening to pass the Manufacturing Jobs Act (also known as the Ford Bill). The bill [HB2] has been narrowed to apply only to the automotive industry. I will send an update as soon as we conclude voting.”

At the Capitol

HCS SB 583 was signed by the Governor on Tuesday. The bill provides that for each school year beginning July 1, 2010, the Department of Social Services is required to provide all state-licensed child-care providers who receive federal or state funds and all public school districts with written information regarding the eligibility criteria and application procedures for obtaining health insurance coverage through the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

Information is to be distributed to the parents at the time of their children’s enrollment in child care or school. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must add an attachment to the application for the free and reduced-price lunch program which will require the parent or guardian to check a box indicating whether the child has or does not have health insurance.

If the child does not have health insurance and the parent or guardian’s income does not exceed the highest level established by federal law, the school district must provide a notice to the parent or guardian that the uninsured child may qualify for health insurance coverage under SCHIP. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in collaboration with the Department of Social Services, must submit an annual report to the Governor and the committee chairs of the House of Representatives Budget Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee on the number of families in each district receiving free or reduced-price lunches, the number of families who indicated the absence of health insurance coverage on the forms, the number of families who received information on SCHIP, and the number of families who applied for coverage under SCHIP because of the receipt of the information.

With estimates of between 80,000 and 100,000 kids without insurance, we hope this will get more kids coverage and the information obtained will be a valuable resource.

Citizens for Missouri’s Children worked with me on this legislation.

In the District

The Lawson Picnic was a huge success this past weekend.

Gregg Williams [At right, visiting with Jerry and Brock Dover] brought his NFL Super Bowl experience to Excelsior Springs for the annual fundraiser for local kids. The foundation has given over $300,000 to local school and children’s organizations over the last seven years.

Don’t forget the Ray County Fair begins this week.