19. SB 445 3rd Reading

Passage. 4/30/99 RV #193, pp. 1596 CSSB 445 passed 123-14 on third reading.

YCT Nay. The bill was regarding the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), funded by the tobacco settlement, which would guarantee that all children in economic need in the State of Texas would receive subsidized health insurance. This program is paid for with the Tobacco Settlement money. The CHIP program is funded by temporary revenue from the settlement between the State of Texas and the tobacco industry. This program will become a costly burden on taxpayers once the money from the Tobacco Settlement is used. YCT does not support socialized medicine and the legislature tying its hands with a burdensome spending package.