Hawki program established

1. The Hawki program, a statewide program designed to improve the health of children and to provide health insurance coverage to eligible children on a regional basis which complies with Tit. XXI of the federal Social Security Act, is established and shall be implemented January 1, 1999. 2. Health insurance coverage under the program shall be provided by participating insurers and through qualified child health plans. 3. The department is designated to receive the state and federal funds appropriated or provided for the program, and to submit and maintain the state plan for the program, which is approved by the centers for Medicare and Medicaid services of the United States department of health and human services. 4. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed or is intended as, or shall imply, a grant of entitlement for services to persons who are eligible for participation in the program based upon eligibility consistent with the requirements of this chapter. Any state obligation to provide services pursuant to this chapter is limited to the extent of the funds appropriated or provided for this chapter. 5. Participating insurers under this chapter are not subject to the requirements of chapters 513B and 513C. 6. Health care coverage provided under this chapter in accordance with Tit. XXI of the federal Social Security Act shall be recognized as prior creditable coverage for the purposes of private individual and group health insurance coverage.