Health & Safety
Children's Health Insurance Program
As Lieutenant Governor in 1999, Gov. Perry helped establish the Children's Health Insurance Program to provide health insurance benefits for indigent children. Since then, Perry has worked with legislators to make sure the program works for those who are most needy, as well as the taxpayers who pay for it. Today, more children than ever before - over 2.2 million - receive state-funded health coverage through CHIP or Medicaid.
Protective Services
In 2005, lawmakers adopted Gov. Perry's major recommendations to
overhaul the state programs that protect children and adults at risk
for abuse or neglect. These reforms will put 2,500 new caseworkers in
the field, cut down on paperwork and bureaucracy, and provide better
training and salaries for those charged with protecting some of most
vulnerable citizens.
Read More about Protective Services
Child Protective Services Hotline
The Health and Human Services Commission's Ombudsman Office, in
conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General, has established
a toll-free line for people to report complaints in response to Gov.
Perry's ordered statewide investigation into the practices and
procedures of Child Protective Services.
Hotline Information
Liability Reform
In 2003, Gov. Perry led the fight to pass the most sweeping medical liability reforms in the nation, which were later approved by Texas voters at the ballot box. Since then, lawsuits against doctors and hospitals have dropped off dramatically, insurance costs are on the decline and patients have better access to the care they need because doctors are reopening and expanding their practices with fewer fears of a frivolous lawsuit.
Hurricane Preparedness
In 2004, Gov. Perry ordered a comprehensive review of the state's
ability to respond to catastrophic hurricanes. The 18-point plan
released in 2005 calls for a regional approach in planning for and
responding to a hurricane, evacuation route improvements and giving
local officials greater authority to evacuate citizens.
Read More about Hurricane Preparedness
Texas Round-Up
Gov. Perry helped established the Texas Round-Up in 2004 to promote
physical fitness and help Texans make healthier lifestyle choices. Too
many Texans face serious illness and disease as a result of being
overweight. In economic terms, obesity costs Texas billions of dollars
each year from lost productivity and increased use of the healthcare
system. Thousands of Texans of all ages have participated in the
Round-Up, and launched a new beginning towards a healthier life.
Read More about Texas Round-Up at www.texasroundup.org