Kids' health insurance plan moves forward in Maryland

The Maryland House of Delegates has agreed to encourage more working-poor families to enroll their children in a state health insurance program, but will not mandate enrollment and withhold tax credits from parents who don't. Beginning in fall 2008, parents with incomes up to three times the federal poverty line will receive a notice with their state income tax forms telling them they are eligible for the Maryland Children's Health Program. Legislative leaders said that mandating enrollment might have unfairly punished parents who don't sign up their children.