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Dear John,
As part of our 2021 Action Drive, we would like to provide more details about one of the bills we are working on during this legislative session.
The Texas Campaign supports HB 835 by Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin). The bill, if passed, would add birth control as a benefit in the state-sponsored Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CHIP is a program that offers low-cost health coverage for children from birth through the month of their 19th birthday. CHIP is designed for low to middle income working families who don’t qualify for Medicaid but who struggle to afford private coverage for their children.
Texas has one of the highest teen birth rates in the nation, yet it’s one of only two states that does not cover birth control as part of CHIP benefits. Over the last decade the teen birth rate has declined and research is clear that contraception is a key factor in this decrease -- but young women served by CHIP are denied access to birth control.
Of the teens enrolled in CHIP in 2018, nearly 1,600 became pregnant by the next year. Including birth control as part of the CHIP program would allow more young people to pursue their dreams without the challenges of an unintended pregnancy. Texas youth deserve support to reach their goals, including access to contraception, so that nothing stands in their way from reaching their full potential.
To learn more about this policy, you can read our research report at www.txcampaign.org/CHIP.
Consider a contribution to support this important work!
In gratitude,
Julia Kranzthor, Development Director
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