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Health Care
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Health Care The 28th District faces unique health care challenges. The district has a large number of residents who live in medically underserved minority and rural communities. It also has a large number of children and parents who are either uninsured or underinsured. I am committed to meeting those challenges as your Congressman. While in the Texas Legislature, I was the author of the Children’s Health Insurance Program that has brought insurance to hundreds of thousands of Texas children. I joined with my colleagues in the House of Representatives on a vote of 265-159 to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, on September 25, 2007. I voted for this legislation because it extends health coverage for an additional four million uninsured children that currently do not have access to regular care. This crucial legislation was sent to the Senate on September 27, 2007, where it passed on a vote of 67-29. Unfortunately, H.R. 976 was vetoed by President Bush on October 3, 2007. I joined with my colleagues on a vote of 273-156 to override the presidential veto in the House of Representatives on October 18, 2007. The votes were not enough to override the veto. I want you to know that I will continue to work with my colleagues in extending health care to our uninsured children as this legislative year proceeds. In the 110th Congress, I have been working to support health care through legislation. I have also been working to bring federal grant money to health care organizations in the district, especially the community health organizations that are often the only source of care in rural areas. A vibrant and healthy border is in the best interest of our nation, our neighbors, and the people that call the Texas border region home. Of the many health problems that face the border, there are several which represent significant concerns to the people that live along the border such as diabetes, obesity, tuberculosis, and cancer. Also, thousands of elderly Texans rely on Medicare to safeguard their health in their retirement years. I am committed to keeping Medicare strong, and I will oppose any effort to cut either funding or benefits. We owe our parents and grandparents the health care they need, and I will continue to work to make sure that the federal government honors that obligation. I am working with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to increase the number of Hispanic students in the medical profession in South Texas, which is 80% Hispanic. In South Texas, there only are 113 doctors per 100,000 people. The national average is 266 physicians per 100,000 people. The shortage of physicians along the border adversely affects access to health care and public health. The health needs of the border, especially in these areas, are acute and must be addressed. I am always looking for ideas to improve the quality of health care along the border region. I want to hear your input, and I want you to know that you can use my office as a resource to help improve health care in the district. Related Documents:
Press Release
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CONGRESSMAN HENRY CUELLAR ANNOUNCES $150,000 GRANT TO EXPAND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN FRIO COUNTY
8.25.2008
Related Files:
01/23/2008 Cuellar urges SCHIP Reauthorization
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