Panel Approves Insurance Pool to Expand Coverage for Children

The Senate Committee on State Affairs unanimously approved legislation by Senator Nelson to establish a private health insurance pool for children in the child support system. Federal law requires parents in the child support system to provide health coverage for their children. If no coverage is available to either parent, a judge typically orders the non-custodial parent to pay cash medical support to the custodial parent. Unfortunately, that does not usually lead to full health coverage. SB 66, which has no cost to taxpayers, allows judges to re-direct those dollars into the health pool to cover the child. "By re-directing 'cash medical support' dollars into this health pool, we will continue to connect more Texas children to the medical care they need."