Congress and priorities
Support CHIP
Regarding “Restore CHIP and help save lives of Texas children” (Page 15, Wednesday), bravo to Mayor Sylvester Turner for recognizing the importance of the Children’s Health Insurance Program to the children of Texas. There are currently more than 430,000 children in our state at risk of losing their health care coverage.
At Texas Children’s Hospital on whose board I serve, we created a health plan to provide coverage for children of working families, and we now cover 71,500 members enrolled in CHIP and about 300,000 in Medicaid.
We know covering kids without interruption, allowing them to see a doctor regularly and establishing a medical home is the most cost-effective strategy for the state. We see CHIP as foundational in helping strengthen families and maintaining a strong economy. Congress needs to act swiftly in reauthorizing CHIP.
Ann Lents, chair, board of trustees, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
Serve the people
Regarding “Franken offers resignation — but not a full admission” (Page A1, Friday), the federal government has to get its priorities straight, and our elected officials need a reality check. Hurricane Harvey destroyed parts of Houston and other parts of Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Republicans passed a tax bill that will add a trillion dollars to the national debt. Their jobs are to make our lives better, not worse.
What are Californians who lost their homes in wildfires to do? Some Houstonians are still living in tents after Hurricane Harvey. Elected Republican officials seem to be more interested in retaining political power then in serving their constituents.
The only elected official I hear speaking rationally on our flooding problem is Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. Flood control needs to happen in Harris County. Florida, Puerto Rico and USVI need money to rebuild. Members of Congress need to take care of the people who voted for them first, not donors, corporations and rich elite families.
P. J. Bailey, Missouri City
Just win
Regarding “Green’s effort to impeach Trump blocked” (Page A10, Thursday), U.S. Rep. Al Green’s attempts to impeach President Trump are an embarrassment to himself, his district, the city of Houston and the state of Texas.
If Green, D-Houston, and others do not like President Trump, I suggest they get their house in order and present a candidate who can defeat him in the next election instead of engaging in this juvenile behavior.
Bob Fowler, Point Blank