The News Journal, September 3, 2008

Matt Denn, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, unveiled his plan to make all children in Delaware eligible for health care coverage.

Denn, who presently is the state insurance commissioner, wants to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program to 300 percent of the poverty level. Currently, the program covers children of families earning between 100 and 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or between $21,200 and $42,400.

The expansion would cover a family of four earning $63,600 a year and would require a federal waiver. Denn’s plan also would allow families to buy SCHIP coverage for their children at full cost.

To cover children who are eligible for SCHIP but not on it, Denn said the state should move from monthly premiums to co-pays.

Denn was involved in a bill aimed at expanding SCHIP that became law in June.