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Broad Coalition Praises Senate CHIP Vote, Urges House to Act Quickly to Get CHIP Buy-In to Governor’s Desk

Austin, Texas—A broad coalition of Texas organizations today released the following joint statement applauding Senate passage of Senator Averitt's CHIP buy-in proposal, which was included as an amendment to HB 1795. The legislation would allow more families without meaningful access to private health insurance coverage to insure their children by paying monthly family-income-based CHIP premiums. Last night's Senate passage of this legislation will allow for a House vote on the final bill before it is sent to the Governor's desk.

"We are delighted that the Texas Senate took the needed steps to keep this important legislation alive. Last night's legislative action to secure health coverage for an additional 80,000 children was an important step towards the finish line, where all Texas children have access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance.

“The amended legislation will now be sent to the House for final approval. We expect the House to pass the amended legislation with the same bipartisan support it received earlier this month so it can be sent to the governor’s desk. We strongly encourage Speaker Straus and members to move quickly to pass HB 1795 as amended.”

The following organizations released the preceding joint statement [press contacts in brackets]:

• AARP [Rafael Ayuso, 512.480.2432]
• Any Baby Can of Texas [Durquia Guillen, 512.699.0077]
• Advocacy, Incorporated [Jeff Miller, 512.454.4816]
• Center for Public Policy Priorities [Derrick Crowe, 512.320.0222]
• Children’s Defense Fund—Texas [Anat Kelman Shaw, 713.664.4080]
• Coalition for Nurses in Advanced Practice (CNAP) [Lynda Woolbert, 512.750.3747]
• Community First Health Plans [Karen Glenney, 210.358.6142]
• DePelchin Children's Center, [Conni Barker, 713.201.8895]
• La Fe Policy Research and Education Center
• The League of Women Voters of Texas [Raul Salazar, 512.472.1100]
• March of Dimes [Morgan Sanders, 512.477.3221]
• Methodist Healthcare Ministries [Miryam Bujanda, 210.378.2389]
• National Council of Jewish Women, Texas State Public Affairs
• One Voice [Laurie Glaze, 713.333.2232]
• San Antonio Nonprofit Council [Scott McAninch, 210.825.3252]
• Texans Care For Children [Christine Sinatra, 512.473.2274]
• Texas ACORN [Catherine Blue, 512.653.9414]
• Texas Association of Community Health Centers [Jose E. Camacho, 512.329.5959]
• Texas Association of Health Plans [Barbara Maxwell, 512.476.2091]
• Texas Catholic Conference
• Texas Children’s Hospital [Elizabeth Hipp, 832.824.2108]
• Texas Finish Line Campaign [Derrick Crowe, 512.320.0222]
• Texas Hospital Association [Amanda Engler 512.465.1026]
• Texas Impact [Bee Moorhead, 512.636.3135]
• Texas Medical Association [Pam Udall or Brent Annear, 512.370.1300]

The Texas Finish Line Campaign works to ensure that every Texas child has access to comprehensive and affordable health insurance. The campaign is a collaboration of 70 organizations across the state, organized by the Children’s Defense Fund–Texas, the Center for Public Policy Priorities, and Texans Care For Children. You can learn more about the campaign and its agenda for the 2009 Texas legislative session at http://www.txfinishline.org.