Democrats lobby for health funding

[Judi Lynn]

April 26, 2004, 9:20PM

Democrats lobby for health funding
2 file bills to reverse spending cuts
By POLLY ROSS HUGHES
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN -- Democrats and child advocates pleaded Monday for lawmakers to reverse deep cuts to health care programs for children, but health officials say they intend to bar thousands more children from coverage instead.

Democratic Reps. Elliott Naishtat of Austin and Garnet Coleman of Houston said they have filed bills to reverse health care spending cuts across the board by tapping into $1.2 billion in available money.

They asked Gov. Rick Perry to add health and human service issues to his call for a special session on school finance, arguing that unhealthy children can't learn no matter how schools are financed.

"Gov. Perry and other members of this state government are not powerless to do something about it," Coleman said. "The problem is that they don't have the will."
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http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2532882