CHIPping away for the Little Dog...

In 1999 the state created the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). In 2003 severe restrictions on eligibility for CHIP were passed, making it harder for our children to qualify for care. The state cut back on the funding for this program, leaving our children with sub-standard care and sticking local taxpayers with a large indigent healthcare bill. The number of children in need of care has continued to rise. This Session House Bill 109, authored by Representative Sylvester Turner, aimed to change some of the problems that currently exist with CHIP. Although it is taking a step in the right direction, it still does not do enough for the children of our great state. House Bill 109, if it passes through the Senate, would extend the period of eligibility from six to twelve months. It also eliminates the 90-day waiting period for children wishing to enter into this program and relaxes the asset test rules. In 2003, before major changes to the program, CHIP enrollment was approximately 527,000. Currently the number of enrollees is about 325,000. As the number of uninsured children grows in this state, so will the amount of local taxes that we have to pay to take care of them.


Everybody have a safe and Happy Easter!