MyWestTexas.com - Cornyn, THHSC Head Boost Kids' Insurance

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MyWestTexas.com - Cornyn, THHSC Head Boost Kids' Insurance

By Bob Campbell

State legislative changes in the Texas Children's Health Insurance Program are bringing the desired increases of children who had been without health insurance, say U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and State Health and Human Services Commissioner Albert Hawkins.

They said House Bill 109, sponsored by Rep. John Davis, R-Houston, has brought numerous inquiries to enrollment counselors at agency call centers. Davis chairs the budget and oversight committee of the House Human Services Committee in Austin.

"On the federal level, I'm committed to achieving full funding for Texas CHIP so every low income child, including those yet to enroll, receives the care they need," Cornyn said after a roundtable discussion in Austin.

"Just as important, I'll continue doing my part to coordinate with THHSC to close the communication gap and boost awareness about the compassionate care available to those who need it most. There are still hundreds of thousands of low income children across Texas without essential health care services."

Hawkins said parents or guardians can start the application process for their children by calling toll free (877) KIDS NOW or (877) 543-7669.

An agency spokeswoman said HB 109 is expected to boost CHIP enrollment by more than 120,000 during the next two years.

"On Sept. 1, the 90-day waiting period was eliminated for most children," she said. "About 26,000 whose coverage would have started in October or November were added to the rolls and CHIP increased by 27,117 in September -- the largest single month increase since 2001.

"Enrollment experienced smaller increases in October and November and the program now covers 340,985 children. THHSC expects significant increases to begin in March as the effect of moving to a 12-month enrollment period kicks in."

The spokeswoman said the Texas CHIP and Medicaid combined now are covering 2.2 million children, which is up by 104,000 since November 2006. "In addition, more than 14,000 infants receive insurance through new CHIP peri-natal coverage," she said.

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