Critic to lead study of Blunt's insurance plan

JEFFERSON CITY — A critic of the governor’s health insurance plan will lead House Republicans on a six-week study of it.

Republican Rob Schaaf from St. Joseph says he wants to scrutinize Gov. Matt Blunt’s Insure Missouri program. Blunt wants to sign up thousands of working parents by this spring, but that could be delayed by the study.

Schaaf plans to finish before the state budget is approved. He says he wants to be sure the plan works before it gets money.

Some lawmakers are annoyed that Blunt has already begun to seek bids from insurance companies. He plans to ask for $43 million to pay for the program.

A spokeswoman for Blunt says the program could cut the uninsured by one-third. She says many lawmakers support the plan.