Center for Public Policy Priorities News

SB 66, Relating to Health Care Coverage for Children in Title IV-D Cases: Testimony to the Senate State Affairs Committee

Scott McCown — 2009-03-30T12:04:40-06:00

CPPP offered testimony today on SB 66, a bill which would attempt to provide health insurance coverage through private insurers for children in Title IV-D child support cases. CPPP Executive Director Scott McCown told committee members that the bill might help or hurt low-income families, depending on its implementation.

Action Needed to Help Unemployed Texans Access Health Insurance Assistance in the Recovery Act

Stacey Pogue — 2009-03-30T14:20:51-06:00

Only half of Texans get health insurance coverage through an employer--one of the lowest rates in the nation. Access to employer-sponsored health insurance will decline as the recession deepens and companies cut jobs. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (federal economic recovery act) includes a temporary COBRA and state continuation premium reduction to help recently unemployed workers and their families maintain private health insurance coverage while they seek new jobs. However, the Texas Legislature must make modest change to our state insurance laws to help Texans losing job-based coverage maximize federal premium assistance. These changes, which require no state general revenue dollars, will help more Texans keep private health insurance and prevent some Texans from joining the growing ranks of the uninsured.

HB 2636 Would Increase Child Support Collections and Strengthen Low-Income Families

Celia Hagert — 2009-03-27T13:22:14-06:00

Historically, federal and state welfare policies focused on moving low-income, custodial parents off of public assistance and into the workforce, and very little attention was paid to the circumstances of low-income non-custodial parents. Texas' Non-Custodial Parent (NCP) Choices program, a pilot program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and the Office of the Attorney General's Child Support Division, expanded the reach of state welfare programs to include non-custodial parents. NCP Choices, which focuses on increasing the earnings of non-custodial parents who owe child support, shows that placing a greater emphasis on low-income, non-custodial fathers is a highly effective strategy to lift families out of poverty and improve child well-being. HB 2636would expand this pilot program to make NCP Choices services available in every child support office in the state. This Policy Page explains how NCP Choices works and the arguments for expanding this cost-effective, successful, and innovative pilot program.

HB 2040, An Act Relating to Establishing a Kinship Guardian Assistance Program: Testimony to the House Human Services Committee

Scott McCown — 2009-03-27T14:32:58-06:00

CPPP testified on HB 2040, which provides for subsidized kinship care for abused and neglected children. While we support kinship care, we recommended that the Legislature study the issue over the upcoming interim.

SB 6, Healthy Texas: Testimony to the Senate State Affairs Committee

Stacey Pogue — 2009-03-31T15:43:51-06:00

SB 6 will create the Healthy Texas program. With nearly 6 million Texans lacking health insurance coverage and the cost of coverage growing ten times faster than incomes, Texas needs to take bold steps to confront issues with access to health coverage. Healthy Texas has the potential to put private health insurance coverage within reach of many uninsured Texans working for small employers by addressing the primary barrier to coverage--the high cost of premiums--using a public-private partnership.

The Texas Recovery Plan

CPPP — 2009-03-25T13:32:51-06:00

Texans created public structures like Medicaid, Food Stamps, and Unemployment Insurance to help families in tough economic times and to help the economy recover from a down cycle. These are indeed tough times--we face the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Tragically, many Texans are becoming aware for the first time of the crumbling nature of many of our public structures, weakened by years of neglect when times were good. Now that times are tough, we find our systems unprepared. Fortunately, though, the new federal economic recovery law makes resources available to help repair and improve these systems, which will in turn energize economic activity and get Texas on the road to recovery.

But, Texas will only get the federal funds--and the needed improvements to our public structures--if state policymakers make the right choices, soon.

Food Stamp Bills Would Maximize Federally Funded Food Assistance to Needy Texans

Celia Hagert — 2009-03-24T10:21:42-06:00

The House Human Services Committee will hear two Food Stamp bills on Thursday, March 26, that would maximize federal funding to provide food assistance for needy Texans. HB 1627 would use the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP) program to maximize Food Stamp benefits for currently eligible families. HB 612 would eliminate the current ban on Food Stamps for drug felons. This Policy Page explains these bills and summarizes the arguments for adopting these changes to Food Stamp policy in Texas.

HB 531: Minimum Medical Loss Ratios: Testimony to the House Insurance Committee

Stacey Pogue — 2009-03-31T15:33:41-06:00

Consumers and employers deserve to know that their hard-earned money going to health insurance premiums is used by insurance companies primarily for health care costs rather than insurance company administration, marketing, and profits. HB 531 sets standards for how insurance companies use premiums dollars that will introduce a much needed level of accountability and transparency to the health insurance market.

TDI Sunset Bill (SB 1007): Testimony to the Senate Government Organization Committee

Stacey Pogue — 2009-03-23T16:18:53-06:00

As the overseer of the insurance market in Texas, the Department of Insurance plays a critical role for the state and its citizens. With one in four Texans lacking health insurance coverage and the cost of coverage increasing ten times faster than incomes, the high cost of health insurance or lack of coverage is something that affects each of us and our communities. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) sunset process provides a much needed opportunity for the Legislature to examine TDI's role and equip it with the tools needed to not only foster a competitive marketplace, but also to make affordable health insurance available to more Texans.

Modernizing the Vehicle Asset Test (HB 1625): CPPP Testimony to the House Committee on Human Services

Celia Hagert — 2009-03-23T16:09:20-06:00

Reliable means of transportation are essential for families trying to get to and from work, and they are especially important for out-of-work Texans trying to find employment. Current asset tests for determining eligibility for public benefits unfairly penalize Texan families for owning reliable means of transportation. CPPP staff recently offered testimony in support of updating Texas' asset tests to ensure that needy individuals and families get the help they need and still have transportation.

Child-Only Group Health Plans (SB 76): Testimony to Senate State Affairs

Stacey Pogue — 2009-03-23T16:12:51-06:00

CPPP is committed to working for an affordable coverage option for every child in Texas. SB 76 would create new coverage options for some children, but it will also allow the potential substitution of existing adult coverage with coverage for children in some cases. It may also encourage some small employers to drop the plans they offer today for employees and dependents and replace them with plans that cover children only.

Twelve-Month Children's Medicaid: The Right Step for Texas' Neediest Children

Anne Dunkelberg — 2009-03-18T12:39:41-06:00

Long-Term Costs Due to Leaving Kids Uninsured Outweigh Short-Term Savings

The House Human Services Committee will hear seven bills Thursday, March 19, that would extend the coverage period for Texas Children's Medicaid from the current six months to 12 months. This change would benefit Texans from every practical angle:

reducing the number of uninsured Texas children by 25 percent; reducing avoidable hospitalizations to cut costs-per-child by about the same amount;
improving access to well-child care to improve health and comply with federal court requirements;
reducing real taxpayer costs by bringing back federal tax dollars to Texas; and
dramatically reducing workloads for Texas' crisis-ridden eligibility system.

Legislators concerned about the cost of 12-month coverage must look past the state budget bill to consider the huge price paid by Texas taxpayers for costs passed on to local jurisdictions when the state leaves needs unmet and federal dollars on the table. This Policy Page reviews the history of and arguments for 12-month enrollment for children.

High Risk Pool Discount Program (SB 879 / HB 2064): Testimony to the House Insurance and Senate State Affairs Committees

Stacey Pogue — 2009-03-23T16:16:37-06:00

The Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool (risk pool) was created by the Texas Legislature to provide health insurance to eligible Texas residents who, due to medical conditions, are unable to obtain health insurance. Because state law in Texas allows health insurers to deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions in the individual market, many Texans with medical conditions can only get coverage through the risk pool. Risk pool coverage provides a lifeline to some, but the high cost of risk pool coverage places it out of reach for most Texans. SB 879 and HB 2064 create a sliding scale discount program in the risk pool that will help more low- and moderate-income Texans afford coverage.

Circuitbreakers: The Best Way to Control Property Taxes

Dick Lavine — 2009-03-16T15:06:26-06:00

A circuitbreaker is a targeted property tax reduction program that operates like an electric circuitbreaker, which cuts off the electric current to a house before an electrical surge can cause damage. A property-tax circuitbreaker reduces property taxes that exceed a certain percentage of a taxpayer's income. Circuitbreaker programs account for a taxpayer's ability to pay when calculating a property tax bill and cost far less than across-the-board rate reductions or increases in exemptions. This policy page examines variations among several states' thresholds for triggering the circuitbreaker and how they administer their programs.

Action Needed to Help Laid-Off Texans Take Full Advantage of COBRA Provisions in ARRA: Testimony to the House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding

Stacey Pogue — 2009-03-13T15:22:37-06:00

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) includes federal funds to help people being laid off maintain private health insurance coverage through COBRA and state continuation while seeking new jobs. The Texas Legislature must modify state insurance laws to maximize the coverage options and premium assistance available to Texans losing job-based coverage. These changes, which require no General Revenue, will help keep more Texans covered through the private market instead of joining the growing ranks of the uninsured.

Governor Needs to Let the Legislative Process Work Regarding Unemployment Insurance

CPPP — 2009-03-12T14:35:40-06:00

The Center for Public Policy Priorities today issued a statement from Senior Policy Analyst Don Baylor, Jr., in response to Governor Rick Perry's suggestion at a press conference that Texas should turn down more than $555 million federal recovery dollars for Unemployment Insurance.

FMAP and Health Insurance: Testimony to the House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding

Anne Dunkelberg — 2009-03-13T15:42:38-06:00

Texas is expected to get $5.45 billion in federal funds to help pay for Medicaid through 2011 (GAO). Congress intended these funds to make sure that in a time of economic hardship when the need is greatest:

states do not cut Medicaid, and
states have extra funds to meet the increased number of uninsured as unemployment rises and incomes decline.

Recommendations to Select Committee on Federal Stabilization Funds

Celia Hagert — 2009-03-13T15:56:24-06:00

ARRA provides enough funding for additional eligibility staff and 12-months continuous coverage of children on Medicaid. The TANF Emergency Contingency Fund also gives us the opportunity to help extremely poor families during the economic downturn.

Modernizing Texas' Unemployment Insurance System: Invited Testimony to House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding

Don Baylor — 2009-03-11T10:13:27-06:00

Unemployment Insurance (UI) helps keep Texas families and the state economy afloat in tough times. This public structure is weaker than it should be. The legislature can make modest improvements in the system to help more Texans remain active participants in the economy when they lose their jobs. Texans need this public structure more than ever, with state unemployment up 49 percent since the beginning of the recession. This PowerPoint details the challenges facing our unemployment insurance system and the opportunity presented by the federal recovery law to strengthen and improve our UI system.

Child Protective Services Issues for the 81st Legislative Session: Invited Testimony to the House Human Services Committee

Scott McCown,Jane Burstain — 2009-03-11T10:28:06-06:00

The 79th and 80th legislatures made significant financial investments in Child Protective Services (CPS). CPS used those resources to improve investigations, keep more children safe in their homes or with relatives, and to increase the number of adoptions for children who could not return to their parents' care. But challenges remain. To meet these challenges and maintain the momentum of success, it is important that the 81st legislature continue to invest in CPS.

Fixing the Crisis in Our Eligibility System

Celia Hagert — 2009-03-09T16:44:06-06:00

Texas' broken eligibility and enrollment system cannot handle current demand, much less growing needs with rising unemployment. The Legislature can solve this crisis. First, it must fund the Health and Human Services Commission's request for $134 million in additional general revenue for the staff needed to improve eligibility system performance. Second, it should adopt 12-months continuous coverage for children on Medicaid, which would greatly reduce the current backlogs in application processing and allow the system to operate competently with fewer staff. The federal economic recovery package provides funds to pay for these additional staff and for 12-months continuous eligibility for children's Medicaid. This paper makes the case for fixing the crisis in our eligibility system and suggests steps you can take to ensure these priorities are funded in the 2010-11 budget.

CPPP Calls On Texas State Officials to Target Federal Recovery Act Funds to Those Hurt Most by Recession

CPPP — 2009-03-06T15:36:20-06:00

With more than $16 billion in federal recovery spending coming to Texas through state agencies, the Center for Public Policy Priorities urged state policymakers to invest in programs that will give struggling low-income families and unemployed workers new opportunities to succeed economically. CPPP also called on the state to ensure that recovery money helps stabilize the economy and benefits those hurt most by the recession. Spending should be done openly, efficiently and with accountability.

Recommendations to Select Committee on Federal Recovery Funds for March 10-12 Public Hearings

CPPP — 2009-03-05T16:24:58-06:00

On March 5, the House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding began hearing public testimony on the use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, also called "the stimulus package") funds in the Texas state budget. ARRA provides billions of dollars to support critical public structures, protect vulnerable Texans during this economic downturn, and set our economy on the road to recovery. This paper summarizes our recommendations for taking full advantage of the benefits in the recovery package.

CPPP Supports Emergency Designation for Unemployment Insurance Reform

CPPP — 2009-02-27T11:04:01-06:00

The Center for Public Policy Priorities today praised a proposal made to Governor Perry by Senators Rodney Ellis, Eddie Lucio, Jr., and Leticia Van de Putte, and Representative Joe Deshotel, to designate reform of the Texas Unemployment Insurance (UI) System an emergency issue to be considered by the 81st Legislature. The legislators included their proposal in a letter to the governor on February 24, 2009.

Article II - HHSC: Testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services

Celia Hagert — 2009-03-06T16:40:30-06:00

The Legislature must fully fund HHSC Exceptional Items 2 and 3 to provide additional staff for the eligibility system. The demand for services is already on the rise and will only increase as the full effects of the recession hit Texas. Without adequate staff, HHSC cannot provide timely and accurate benefits to eligible families. The delay or inappropriate denial or termination of benefits not only causes great hardship to needy Texans; it also causes the state to lose out on critical federal funds for Food Stamps and Medicaid that boost our state and local economies. The Legislature should also use a portion of the biennial balance in TANF block grant funds to increase cash assistance to extremely poor families and help them weather the economic recession. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) includes an Emergency Contingency Fund that would reimburse Texas for 80% of this increased TANF spending.

CPPP: Texas Lawmakers Should Seize Opportunity to Fix Unemployment Insurance

CPPP — 2009-02-25T17:06:17-06:00

The Center for Public Policy Priorities today urged state policymakers to draw down available funds for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits in the federal recovery law. The center highlighted an exchange yesterday between Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) regarding the counterproductive effects of states forgoing money for UI:

BERNANKE: If unemployment benefits are not distributed to the unemployed, then they won't spend them and it won't have that particular element of stimulus.

SEN. JACK REED (D-RI): So if this was done on a wide basis, it would be counterproductive, not productive?

BERNANKE: It would reduce the stimulus effect of the package, yes.

The 2010-2011 Budget and Child Protective Services: Testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services

Jane Burstain — 2009-03-06T16:37:15-06:00

The 79th and 80th legislatures made significant financial investments in Child Protective Services (CPS). CPS has used those resources to improve investigations, keep more children safe in their homes or with relatives, and to increase the number of adoptions for children who could not return to their parents' care. It is important that the 81st legislature maintain this momentum of success and continue to invest in CPS so that recent gains are not lost and future challenges can be met.

Federal Funds for Texas CPS

Eva DeLuna Castro — 2009-02-23T13:35:29-06:00

Texas relies heavily on federal funds to pay for child protection. This Policy Page describes the major sources of federal funds and their uses. It also discusses policy recommendations of the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care and the Kids are Waiting: Fix Foster Care Now campaign.

Texas Economy and Families to Receive $5-6 Billion if Texans Claim EITC

Don Baylor — 2009-02-18T10:20:16-06:00

"Many Texas families are confronting financial hardship as recession grips our nation, making it vitally important that all those eligible take advantage of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit�. For a family struggling to pay medical bills, stave off foreclosure, or keep up with household expenses, Earned Income Tax Credits can be a crucial lifeline�." (HR 193)

As the nation's most successful anti-poverty program, the EITC helps working families meet basic needs and provides a platform for their financial stability and success, while also acting as a powerful stimulus on local and state economies. Texans can apply for the EITC online using the IRS's Free File service or by visiting a local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site.

CPPP Written Testimony on Expansion of School Breakfast Program

Celia Hagert — 2009-02-27T14:51:26-06:00

Last session, HB 4062 directed TDA to study the National School Breakfast Program and make recommendations to the 81st Legislature for increasing participation in the program. Numerous studies before TDA's have explored the importance of eating breakfast at school. This research has shown that school breakfast improves academic performance, decreases behavioral problems, and improves children's nutritional health. Despite its documented value, only a little over half of all low-income students in Texas public schools eat school breakfast, when compared to those who eat lunch. Based on its study, TDA has recommended ways to increase school breakfast participation. The Legislature should help TDA implement these recommendations by funding school breakfast expansion initiatives.