Uninsured Children

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.