Study says Texas passes up millions for children's insurance
August 25, 2003
FORT WORTH, Texas- Texas has passed up a potential $618 million in federal Children's Health Insurance Program funding over the past six years because state lawmakers have consistently failed to meet the matching amount before deadlines.
The state is second only to California in passing up federal CHIP money, according to Families USA, a consumer health advocacy group that tracks federal health funding.
CHIP provides health insurance for children 18 and under from families who cannot afford private health insurance but make too much money to qualify for Medicaid. More than 500,000 Texas children are enrolled. (snip)
(snip) "The reason it's not a priority is because poor children don't make campaign contributions and poor children don't vote," said Coleman, a member of the House Public Health Committee. "This is not rocket science. You either want to cover kids or you don't."
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(snip) The state Health and Human Services Commission predicts that more than 158,000 children will drop from CHIP rolls between now and the end of 2005 because of policies established by the Legislature this year. (snip)
(snip) Also, CHIP vision and dental benefits are being eliminated, and the state is drastically cutting psychiatric benefits. (snip/...)
http://www.caller.com/ccct/state_texas_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_876_2207863,00.html