Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill increasing the eligibility of children for the Texas Children's Health Insurance Plan.

Highlights:

-Directs the commission (Health and Human Services) to establish income eligibility levels so that a child who is younger than 19 years of age and whose net family income is at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level is eligible for health benefits coverage under the program (Sec. 1). -Allows the commission to establish eligibility standards regarding the amount and types of allowable assets for a family whose net family income is above 250 percent of the federal poverty level (Sec. 1). -Requires families whose net income exceeds 200 percent of federal poverty level but remains under 300 percent to pay a share of the cost of the child health plan through co-payments, fees, and a portion of the plan premium, but this share may not exceed five percent of the enrollee's net income (Sec. 3). -Mandates that the executive commissioner develop a process for the termination of coverage for families above 200 percent but below 300 percent of the poverty line who fail to pay their premiums (Sec. 5). -Requires the executive commissioner to develop a buy-in option for qualified families who are over 300 percent of the poverty line but under 400 percent (Sec. 6). -Mandates the creation of policies designed to promote private-sector employer-based insurance, and maintain the buy-out option for those who need it (Sec. 6). -The commission may not consider as income or resources: any fund established in the interest of a prepaid tuition contract; an interest or savings trust account; any qualified tuition program of any state; any taxable credit-only savings account that is opened in a child's name and gifted to the child by a post-secondary education awards program (Sec. 8). -Requires the commission to improve the effectiveness of community outreach efforts with respect to benefits programs (Sec. 9). -Requires the design of a variety of policies to streamline efficiency, effectiveness, and customer service (Sec. 12).

Full Bill Text