Cornyn feeling heat after CHIP vote
2007-10-05
Source: The Dallas Morning News
Sen. John Cornyn was on the defensive Thursday on children's health care, an issue that has played a pivotal role in the defeat of Democrats and Republicans in this state who have opposed it.
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rss feedBut in a state that has more uninsured children than any in the nation – about 20 percent have no health insurance in Texas – the political drums were beating.
"Mr. Cornyn is happy to have taxpayers fully fund his own government-run health benefits, but he's not willing to allow it for Texas children," said Democratic political consultant Kelly Fero. "This issue has been so central to so many campaigns in this state, voters have no trouble understanding this. They get it."
In a conference call with Texas reporters, Mr. Cornyn said that he supported CHIP but felt the bill over-reached, increased program spending by 140 percent and expanded the program's focus from the neediest kids to what could become a "middle-class entitlement."
Under the program, the government subsidizes private insurance payments for families who earn enough to be disqualified from Medicaid, but not enough to afford health care for their children.
In Texas, a family of four with an income of $41,300 qualifies for CHIP assistance. The federal bill would allow states to help families earning up to $60,000 pay their insurance premiums, though it's unclear whether Texas lawmakers would enact such a change.
