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Backers to rally for children's health insurance

Posted at 6:58 AM, Apr 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-11 09:58:08-04

Advocates who want the state's children's health insurance program restored plan to rally at the Capitol to try to persuade the Arizona Senate to consider a proposal the House has already approved.

Monday's planned rally will include parents, pediatricians, nurses, children's advocacy and faith and women's groups.

House Bill 2309 passed the House on a 47-12 vote on March 2. But Senate President Andy Biggs has blocked consideration because he opposes the program.

Children whose families earn between 138 and 200 percent of the federal poverty line would gain insurance under the plan.

Arizona froze its KidsCare program in 2010 and is now the only state without an active program. It once covered more than 63,000 children.

The federal government would pick up the full cost at least through 2017.