RS 46:977.2: Purpose

The legislature hereby declares that for the economic and social benefits of all residents of this state, it is important to ensure that children of the state have access to affordable health insurance that offers comprehensive coverage and emphasizes preventive health care. Many children in working families are uninsured, including children in families whose family income is greater than two hundred percent of the applicable federal poverty guideline as published in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The lack of health insurance negatively affects the health status of children. The legislature further finds that access to health care is a key component for the healthy development of children and a successful education. It is, therefore, the intent of the legislature to provide access to affordable health insurance to children in Louisiana.