Health Care

Access to affordable professional medical care is important to all
Texans. To this end Governor Perry consistently supported new
professional medical schools to meet the growing health needs of
Texans, led efforts to keep doctors and nurses from having to fight
frivolous lawsuits in court instead of delivering health care, and
promoted options for small employers to more easily offer private
insurance coverage to employees. Because Texas spends almost $20
billion dollars a year on health programs Governor Perry strives to
make health care an efficient expenditure of taxpayer dollars. By
focusing on health education and disease prevention though programs
such as child immunization, nutritional education, and personal
fitness, Texas saves tax dollars and helps people lead healthier lives.

Children’s Health Insurance Program

As Lieutenant Governor, Rick 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.

Medical Liability Reform

In 2003, Governor 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.

Protecting Patient Medical Records

Governor Perry signed legislation creating the Texas Medical Privacy
Act to further protect the privacy of patients’ medical records. It is
the first comprehensive privacy law for protection of a patient’s
medical records, and it also establishes privacy standards for medical
research.

Requiring Parental Consent for Minor Abortions

Governor Perry signed a law requiring a minor to get permission from
her parents before getting an abortion. A court order to forgo parent’s
consent can be obtained by minors in difficult circumstances. The law
also prohibits abortions in the third trimester.

Texas Round-Up

Governor Perry 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.

Improving Access to Health Care in Low Income Areas

Governor Perry worked with the Legislature to create the Federally
Qualified Health Center Incubator Program and secured money to provide
annual grants to community health centers. Increasing the number
Federally Qualified Health Centers improves health care in medically
underserved areas and improves access to primary and preventive health
care services for low income Texans.

Improving Texas’ Mental Health System

In 2005 Governor Perry secured a multi million dollar federal grant
to improve Texas’ mental health service delivery system. The funds will
help transform the system so that it will be directed by patient and
family needs for long term intervention and recovery.