HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 3166-02-2005A Resolution
NO 3 ~to~o"O~` ~,Q~~
Resolution in Support of the Campaign to Restore CHIP
WHEREAS, providing affordable health insurance for employees and
their families is one of the most serious problems faced by Texas and
WHEREAS, the cost of health insurance premiums has dncreased by over
35% in the last three years alone making it more difficult for businesses
to offer and families to afford employer based health insurance and
WHEREAS, Texas ranks last in the nation in the percentage of uninsured
children at 21 6% and last in the nation in the percentage of uninsured
workers and 90% of uninsured children have at least on parent that works
full time and
WHEREAS, Texas made significant progress in improving children s
access to healthcare through the creation of the Children s Health
Insurance Program (CHIP) with a peak enrollment of over 500 000
children before cuts were made to the program
WHEREAS, CHIP enrollment in Tarrant County has decreased by 33%
Tarrant County has seen a decrease of 9,500 children 'T'his means 9 500
children in the Fort Worth/Tarrant County community are not being
served 29 000 children were enrolled in September of 2003 and only
19 500 were enrolled in Februrary of 2005
WHEREAS, CHIP enrollment in Texas has decreased by 159,114 children
since cuts took effect on September 1 2003 and
WHEREAS, due to cuts in CHIP Texas will miss out on more than $500
million in federal matching funds that, if unused will be spent in other
states and
WHEREAS, cuts to CHIP will place more strain on cities counties and
local healthcare delivery systems already facing major budget cuts and
shortfalls and
WHEREAS, critical benefits have been removed from the CHIP benefits
package including dental and vision and
WHEREAS, the cost of restoration of all CHIP eligibilflty and benefits is
approximately $93 million for fiscal year 2005 according to HHSC
estimates
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Joins the campaign to restore CHIP and calls for the restoration of the
Children s Health Insurance Program in Texas to pre September 2003
levels in order to ensure that uninsured Texas children in low income
working families receive appropriate and needed care and to ensure That
costs are not shifted to already overburdened state and local governments
and healthcare delivery systems
Ado ted this / / ~ day of ~~~,, ~ 2005
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ATTEST
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Lro~t ~JJ !'
By-~"'
~~
a~ty Hendrix City Secretary
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APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
FEB 1 7 2005
~~~~
City Seczetary of the
City of Fort Wortl-, Texas