[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 71 (Friday, June 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E923-E924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TEXAS' CHILD HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 2000

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on 
Texas' Child Health Insurance Program.
  Today, our children should not have to fight to get the health care 
coverage they deserve. I am sad to say, in Texas they do. A child born 
in the year 2000 is far more likely to grow up healthy and to reach 
adulthood than a child born in 1900 was. Over the past 100 years, our 
nation's scientific, technological, and financial resources have built 
the most advanced health care system in the world. But the doors of the 
health care system are not open to everyone.
  Millions of children have inadequate medical care. Ensuring that 
every child in our nation receives the best possible health care must 
be a top priority for the nation. Unfortunately, not all children have 
benefited equally from the medical, public health, and public policy 
achievements of the 20th century. To a large extent, health status is 
still determined by race, language, culture, geography, and economics. 
In general, children in low-income communities get sick more often from 
preventable acute and infectious illnesses such as measles, 
conjunctivitis, and ear infections. Low-income children and teens are 
also more likely to suffer from chronic medical conditions such as 
diabetes and asthma, the leading cause of school absences. In fact, the 
sharpest increases in asthma rates are among urban minority children.
  Despite the tremendous advances in medical technology and public 
health, millions of children have less of a chance to grow up healthy 
and strong because of unequal access to health care. Children without 
health insurance or a regular source of health care are most likely to 
seek care from emergency rooms and clinics, which have long waits to 
see a provider, limited follow-up, and little or no health education 
about preventive strategies or ways to manage chronic illness. Compared 
with insured children, uninsured children are up to eight times less 
likely to have a regular source of care, four times more likely to 
delay seeking care, nearly three times less likely to have seen a 
provider in the past year, and five times more likely to use the 
emergency room as a regular place of care. There is no question that 
insurance is key to maintaining health.
  Imagine one hundred children from Texas standing in front of you. 
Fifty-four of these children are insured through Private/Employer-based 
programs. Twenty-two are covered through Medicaid. Twenty-four are 
uninsured. This equals to about 1.4 million of the 6 million children 
in Texas without health insurance.
  Now imagine one hundred children from all over the country standing 
in front of you. Sixty-four of these children are insured through 
Private/Employer-based programs. Twenty-one are covered through 
Medicaid. Fifteen are uninsured.
  Why is it that Texas' percentage of uninsured children is higher than 
the national's average? The reason is due to a Texas government that 
chooses not to take advantage of government funding that will allow 
many children to be insured. As a matter of fact, Texas can expand its 
Medicaid coverage to the age of eighteen and cover those whose income 
is up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. Presently, Texas only 
covers children up to the age of eighteen and to those whose income is 
100% of the Federal Poverty Level with Title XXI funds. If Texas 
expands Title XXI eligibility to only 200% Federal Poverty Level, like 
it has the choice to, then an additional 483,000 uninsured children 
would be eligible for insurance coverage. Over half of all states have 
expanded coverage to 200% or beyond.
  Most states have expanded health insurance coverage to children using 
Title XXI funds. This coverage is provided through Medicaid expansions 
and/or separate insurance programs. Ten states offer Medicaid to those 
with an income up to 150% Federal Poverty Level. Texas falls within 
this category. Texas falls at the bottom. Our children fall at the 
bottom.
  This should simply not be the case. The Texas government must not 
only strive to improve its average compared to the national average, 
but it must also strive to ensure all of its children adequate health 
care. The opportunity for Texas to make change is now. The

[[Page E924]]

Texas leadership must now show compassion to its future and provide a 
means for them to live healthy lives.

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