We asked State Rep. G. A. Hardaway (D-Memphis) about HB59 which would require kids attending public schools to have health insurance. Here is his response:

Thank you for your interest in children's healthcare and education legislation. HB0059 will have companion bills and collectively they are designed to identify and provide children with adequate-accessible-affordable healthcare by leveraging current State and Federal funds.

We know that there is a direct correlation between healthy children and student achievement. These bills will promote the efficient delivery of both health and education services to the State's children. I have yet to receive a complete fiscal analysis for these bills. I will be available to you for further discussions once I have complete information in place.

RELATED:

HB60 requires parents and guardians to notify the LEA (local education authority) in writing as to whether a student has health insurance coverage at time of admission.

HB122 requires school systems to make reasonable efforts to determine if students have current health insurance and to report their findings to the state commissioner of education.