South Texas CHIP enrollment up, but all eligible children still not covered

Rio Grande Valley enrollment in the Children's Health Insurance Program has surged since the state Legislature restored some of the program's benefits, but the work isn't done, advocates said Wednesday.

Administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, CHIP is a health insurance program that provides health coverage for children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but can't afford to buy private insurance for their children.

Many local children who are eligible for CHIP or children's Medicaid still aren't enrolled, so more outreach efforts are needed, said Luisa Saenz, executive director of the Children's Defense Fund of the Rio Grande Valley, during a media briefing. The nonprofit child advocacy group promotes enrollment and utilization of children's Medicaid and CHIP.

"We have about 8,000 more children to (enroll in Hidalgo County)," Saenz said.