Iowa House Passes Bill That Would Provide Nearly All Uninsured Children With Health Coverage

The Iowa House on Tuesday voted 97-0 to pass a bill (HF 2539) that would expand health insurance to nearly all children in the state by 2011, the Des Moines Register reports. The bill, which also would create a plan to cover all adult residents by 2013, is the first step toward establishing universal coverage in the state, lawmakers said.

The measure does not include a funding mechanism for the coverage expansion but says that coverage will occur "as funding becomes available." Extending coverage to all children would cost the state $30.8 million annually, according to the state Legislative Services Agency. Covering all uninsured state residents would cost $550 million annually, including the cumulative costs that state residents or businesses would pay, according to the agency.

State Rep. Ro Foege (D) said the agency's estimate included costs for an "insurance exchange," which guarantees residents a wide range of services. He added that the Legislature is considering a more affordable and voluntary plan. He said, "Whatever we do has to be sustainable and doable." A Senate committee last week approved a similar proposal (SSB 3140) (Clayworth, Des Moines Register, 3/12).