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Model Application Template for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program

Effective Date:

Approval Date: 43 • cover as many young Nebraskans as possible in a cost-effective manner; and • improve the health of children by providing preventive care and treatment.

Expanding health care services for uninsured children is a significant component of Governor Nelson's Success 2000 program. It builds on the Governor's Nebraska Good Beginnings program, which emphasizes improved access to community-based services that promote the development of strong families and healthy children from birth to age two. First Lady Diane Nelson has been the honorary chair of the Good Beginnings program since its inception in 1992.

Legislative hearing On 10/31/97: The Nebraska Legislature held a hearing to consider Legislative Resolution 186, introduced in the 1997 Legislative session. The purpose of this resolution is to study health care availability for uninsured children. Because of the ensuing passage of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, including the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), this hearing became a forum to consider the proposed Children’s Health Initiative in Nebraska. Individuals testifying at this hearing included: Senator Chris Beutler; Jeff Elliott, Director of Finance & Support - who described the framework for expanding Medicaid to include targeted low income children under Title XXI; Steve Frederick, HAS Finance & Support; Marcia Spilker, Nebraska Association of School Nurses; Allen Dvorak, M. D., president of the Nebraska Medical Association; Kris Morrissey, Director of Policy with Voices for Children in Nebraska; David Corbin, Ph.D., President of the Nebraska Public Health Association; Ric Compton, Medicaid Administrator; Lorrie Benson, Executive Director of Nebraska Community Action Agencies; Randy Boldt, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Nebraska; Stacie Bleicher, M.D., president of the Nebraska chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Dick Netley, parent of a consumer; Father Val Peter of Boys Town; Bill Arfman, Director of NAPE/AFSME; Mike Zgud, Chair of the Board of Directors of NAPE/AFSME; Sister Norita Cooney, chair of the Board of Alegant Health; Donna Polk, Executive Director of Nebraska Urban Indian Health; Dennis DeRoin, M.D., Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians; Natalie Clark, Executive Director of the Lancaster County Medical Society; Earl Brown, member of the Nebraska Medicaid Client Advisory Group; Ann Oertwich, Executive Director of the Nebraska Nurses’ Association; Roger Keetle, Nebraska Association of Hospitals and Health Systems; Merv Riepe, Executive Director of the Children’s Health Network; Jay and Peggy Chasen, citizens; and Tom Bassett, Executive Director of the Nebraska Dental Association. The testimony presented at this hearing was generally supportive of the proposed Children’s Health Insurance Program. .

Joint Statement On Children’s Health: On December 15, 1997, Governor Ben Nelson announced the release of a Joint Statement on Comprehensive Health for Nebraska Children and Youth. The statement was developed over the past 18 months by the Nebraska Health and Human Services System, Nebraska Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians, and Voices for