There is a pull in the House and Senate to work together on partisan lines and find solutions for uninsured children in Texas. Being that 22% of 1.5 million children are uninsured, the issue needs to be addressed with long-term solutions. Texas ranks number one in the nation with uninsured children and also ranks high in teen birth rates. I am on the fence for a new bill that will allow working parents to buy into the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) if they (a family of four) do not qualify because they make more than $44,100. I think this is a great idea because it will cost families who make under $66,150 premiums from $88 to $120 a month. This would add 80,000 children to CHIP costing the state about $38 million over two years. As a strong Republican I sometimes wonder when enough is enough and if throwing money at an issue can really create a long-term solution, but this seems fair and will keep primary care needs out of the emergency room and therefore save local taxpayers from paying the bill. Then again, emergency rooms cannot turn away any patient so it may not actually change anything. I am all for promoting personal responsibility and I know that some families will not take advantage of this plan because they would rather have free health care in the emergency room and a flat screen TV than a low premium for their children's health insurance. I do not want to support irresponsible parents of large families who are unwilling to do what it takes to earn their own way before going to the State. Where is the line drawn between the responsibility of parents and the responsibility of the State? I think that health insurance should be the priority and responsibility first for families. Those in crisis can depend on the government and have something to fall back on, but a lazy and materialistic culture is no excuse for uninsured children. In light of that, the 22% of uninsured children in Texas are without a doubt not responsible for being in this predicament and deserve quality healthcare.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I am very interested in the article, ’Uninsured Children.’ Texas is the leading state in the nation with uninsured children. In my opinion, the new bill that will allow working parents to buy into the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will only help lighten the load for a little while. While it is very important for all children to have some form of health insurance, it is also important that people take responsibility for the families that they are trying to raise. I am in agreement with Talking Texan’s blog statement, “I do not want to support irresponsible parents of large families who are unwilling to do what it takes to earn their own way before going to the State.” I also do not want to support families who are not taking this situation seriously. If a family is below the national poverty rate and already has a few children, is it really necessary to be having more babies that they cannot take care of? Is it the responsibility of the State to finance free insurance for families who are not spending money properly? I too am on the fence with this topic. Letting families who do not already qualify for CHIP buy into the program is a great idea. This way, families are taking the initiative to support their children instead of trying to weasel free health care from the State. Since no hospital can turn away an emergency situation and low cost clinics do exist for families who cannot afford any type of health care, I do feel our health care issues should be more under control then they actually are. If parents are unable to afford any time of health care, CHIP included and do not qualify for Medicare, they should be taking precautionary measures with their children and finding low cost clinics for their care. No child should be over looked due to financial reasons. Is this bill a good idea? Yes, if people begin to take more responsibility for themselves, their children and families. But I, as a hardworking Texan, do not want to pay for health coverage of children whose parents spend money on frivolous items that I do not even have the finances to purchase. In the words of the Talking Texan, “…the 22% of uninsured children in Texas are without a doubt not responsible for being in this predicament and deserve quality healthcare.”
ReplyDelete