State of Montana, Blue Cross close to deal on children’s insurance

State health officials and Montana’s largest health insurer are close to inking a new contract on the Children’s Health Insurance Program — a deal that advocates say isn’t the best for uninsured children.

The state has offered to pay a 6 percent increase in premiums to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, which insures the nearly 11,600 kids on the publicly funded program.

The two parties are still negotiating their respective share of program costs between 6 percent and 11.9 percent above current levels, and may reach an agreement by Thursday.

“I think we’re really close,” said Tanya Ask, vice president of government affairs for Blue Cross.

Advocates for the insurance program, however, said Tuesday they’re disappointed the state is not abandoning the insurance contract with Blue Cross and insuring the program itself.

By Mike Dennison of The Standard State Bureau

Full Story: http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2005/10/26/newsstate/hjjeijhdjbfigc.txt