CHIP Press Conference

Rep. Gonzales is talking right now, and she’s telling some of the horror stories of how difficult it is for parents to deal with the system when it comes to CHIP…dropped calls, etc.

“Let’s remember: CHIP is not free. It was created to help families help themselves,” Gonzales said. “These children are not going to become magically well. It is time that as a state, we make it as easy as possible to make sure all children are being given access to healthcare.”

Paula Hightower Pierson:

“…I stand here as a voice for those who have no vote…”

“With the cuts in CHIP, it is increasing our insurance rate that individuals have to pay, that small businesses have to pay…It is fisically irresponsible to turn away government dollars and continue to raise our taxes on local, county and school districts.” She notes there was a 9,000 reduction in kids knocked off CHIP in Tarrant County alone. “It’s just flat the right thing to do.”

Joe Heflin:

“Since this cut with CHIP was enacted, we had a 62 percent reduction in coverage of children in my district. That adds up to an expensive cost to counties and others that have to absorb that cost. We have the money now, we need to restore CHIP. We need to make Texas proud that we take care of our kids.”

Borris Miles:

“In Harris County, we had the largest disenrollment of any county in Texas. I will be filing my bill…my legislation will take it one step further…to prevent us from repeating past mistakes, my bill will require the state calculate the interest lost on these funds…and create an outreach program designed to reach those parents of children eligible but not yet enrolled in CHIPs….Our Lieutenant Governor in his innaugural speech, said this was going to be the session of children. Let’s put our money where our mouth is.”

Coleman said 61 members will be co-signing on his bill or filing other legislation on CHIP. WOW.

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