MD Families May Need Proof of Kids Health Insurance to File Tax Forms

[MountainLaurel]

Maryland would require families to report proof of health insurance coverage for their children on their tax filings, and beginning in three years families with uninsured children would no longer qualify for the state's child tax exemptions, under legislation to be introduced today.

The Support the Kids First Act, to be introduced by Del. Heather R. Mizeur (D-Montgomery), is designed to help the state identify which children are uninsured. The comptroller's office, which collects state taxes, would be required to use tax filings to determine which uninsured children from low-income families qualify for the Maryland Children's Health Plan. The law also would require the office to send enrollment forms and other literature to qualifying families.

Mizeur said Maryland would become the first state with such a requirement.

There are an estimated 90,000 children who are eligible for the state's insurance program but are not enrolled, Mizeur said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/07/AR2008020703861.html