Comptroller Strayhorn Blasts Governor Perry Over New Rules Governing CHIP Coverage

AUSTIN (AP) — Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn on Wednesday urged Gov. Rick Perry, a fellow Republican, to rescind new rules for the Children's Health Insurance Program that she says will jeopardize health care for poor working families.

The rules, which went into effect Tuesday, specify dollar amounts and types of assets that must be counted by certain families applying for the low-cost health insurance program. For instance, having $5,000 in a savings account could disqualify a family's children from coverage, she said.

That assets test is "mean-spirited, " Strayhorn said, repeating the theme of her ongoing attacks against Perry. She is mulling a run against Perry for governor in 2006.

In response, Perry's spokeswoman, Kathy Walt, accused the comptroller of a "flip-flop" because in a report last year Strayhorn recommended removing 161,800 children from the Children's Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP, to save money by shortening the program's re-enrollment period.

"For her to now use these children as political fodder to feed her ever increasing political appetite is unconscionable," Walt said.

Strayhorn played politics with the state's financial picture in 2003 by changing revenue projections and preventing legislators from spending all that they could on health services, Walt said.

Strayhorn said she never recommended narrowing CHIP eligibility or cutting benefits and that the governor is lobbing "untrue accusations."

Along with children's health cuts, Strayhorn has criticized Perry for reductions in programs for the elderly and disabled; a state plan to turn some existing roads into toll roads; and the state's failure to overhaul its school funding system.

"It is time to put children first," she said. "I am absolutely sure that we need leaders who care." She also praised the bipartisanship she said prevailed when President Bush was Texas governor.

In a letter to Perry, Strayhorn took aim at his decision to shift the pay of four employees at the Governor's Mansion to another state agency to reflect budget savings in his own office.

"If you can magically manage to keep two maids, a cook, and a porter on your staff at the Governor's Mansion while claiming that they are not part of your budget, certainly you can figure out a way to continue insuring the health of these children," Strayhorn said.

That staff budget shift by Perry was reported this month in The Dallas Morning News.

Lawmakers last year changed the eligibility requirements for CHIP, a program designed to help provide health insurance for children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid.

From Sept. 1, 2003, to Aug. 1, enrollment in CHIP has dropped by 147,525 children, according to the human services commission.

Families with incomes up to twice the federal poverty level — or $37,700 annually for a family of four— remain eligible, but now more sources of income are counted. Previously certain income, like child support, was exempt.

Under the rules that took effect this week, for families earning between 150 percent and 200 percent above poverty level, certain assets like savings accounts and other cash on hand are considered, said Kristie Zamrazil, spokeswoman for the state Health and Human Services Commission.

The commission came up with specifics of the assets test and after seeking public comment decided to exclude counting such assets as retirement accounts, life insurance policies and educational scholarships.

FWIW...this bitch, Strayhorn, is actually Ann Richards separate twin (at birth) and a wannabe Texas GOP team player.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised to see her switch over to a demonRAT between now and the next election for governor so she can run against Perry.

$5,000 in a savings account could disqualify a family's children from coverage

I would think so --- if you can save $5,000 and afford to have kids in the first place, you can pay for your own doctor's visits. Just like the rest of us do.

FITZ wrote: "I would think so --- if you can save $5,000 and afford to have kids in the first place, you can pay for your own doctor's visits. Just like the rest of us do."

From another perspective, that makes you a chump if you bother to save money and have to spend it all and more to handle an appendectomy, while your neighbor who blew $5,000 on better clothes and restaurant meals qualifies for insurance.

I agree however if you would only be on insurance for roughly 5 months before running out of your savings thus being back on the system. I would much rather see our American children receiving medical and dental coverage than illegals and non citizens. Actually I believe all people should be afforded basic health care. But like most of the have, I don't want to pay for the have-nots.

True --- but really when someone decides they can afford to have kids in the first place is when they should figure out how they'll pay for routine health care for them.

I think everyone should be expected to pay for their own routine health care like simple checkups and vaccinations. It's the catestrophic stuff that is the problem. I see people pulling up to the free clinics in huge gas guzzlers --- a tank of gas would cost more than a doctor visit.

I think they should eliminate the socialist system and go back to paying your own way --- anyone can afford to see a doctor for routine care --- but some long term illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, etc are not easily affordable.

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