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Letter from Representative John Davis |
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September 19, 2006
Mr. James Howard Gibbons
Opinion Page Editor
P.O. Box 4260
Houston, Texas 77210-4260
Dear Mr. Gibbons:
Martha Wong has been a consistent advocate for smarter and more efficient government as she has represented the people of House District 134. In Thursday's edition, the Chronicle inaccurately represented Martha's record on health and human services when it comes to the Medicaid and CHIP programs.
In 2003, the Texas Legislature faced a serious budget crisis, which legislators were committed to resolve without raising taxes on hard working Texas families. This required setting priorities in every aspect of the state's budget, including health and human services. We made responsible decisions putting money for these programs into direct delivery of services rather than administration, and tightening the enrollment process to ensure programs served the truly needy.
Contrary to the article's claims, creating an assets test and shortening the period of continuous eligibility preserved the CHIP program so it could be a safety net for truly eligible families. We have finite resources to devote to these programs and we cannot and should not allow ineligible people to gain access to these programs and use these resources fraudulently. Most people would agree that CHIP benefits should go to truly needy Texas only, not a family with one adult and one child with three vehicles exceeding $50,000 in total value, a family with $160,000 in IRAs, or families driving current year luxury cars, but this is exactly the kind of waste and abuse that was discovered when the assets test was implemented. This kind of abuse had to go.
Furthermore, the move currently underway to allow more Texans to apply for benefits through a call center will improve convenience for applicants and bring greater efficiency. Again, the state chose to find savings in reducing the administrative overhead in order to direct more money to direct services. Applicants for CHIP have always gone through a call center, but the lower income Medicaid clients were forced to appear in person. This inequitable treatment is unfair and unnecessary, and this new model will give all applicants more options in applying and tracking their application.
Representative Wong's record of public service is admirable and she has made tough decisions to prioritize budget requests both as a councilmember and as a state legislator. Representative Wong knows, as I do, that the prosperity that the state experiences today is due in large part to the fiscally responsible, although difficult, decisions made during each of our careers that allows Texas families and businesses to keep more of their money to create jobs and provide for their families.
Sincerely,
John E. Davis
State Representative, District 129
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