Health Care

  • ”After a diagnosis of cancer, my husband Lyon was initially told he had 18 months to live. As a result of the excellent care at the Texas Medical Center (TMC), his life was extended to 18 years. I am honored to represent the Texas Medical Center, and as a cancer survivor myself, to fight for funding to ensure we continue as a global leader in medical research and patient services.” – State Rep. Ellen Cohen

Affordable, quality, health care is one of the most important issues facing our state — affecting every household, workplace, and, ultimately, Texas’ economic development. Without healthy children, our schools cannot deliver the caliber of graduates we need to support a thriving workforce. An educated, healthy workforce is necessary to attract businesses which, in turn, create a healthy economic environment.

The problems of affordable health care and the high number of uninsured Texans must be addressed for the sake of our financial stability. Our approach must include developing wellness and prevention programs, increasing the number and the quality of health care professionals via alternative models of education, and maximizing federal health care dollars for programs such as the Women’s Health Program and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). We must get the most out of every dollar and focus on innovative solutions that make sound fiscal sense.

A glance at Rep. Cohen’s record on the issue of healthcare:

  • Served as the House sponsor of the bill creating the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) that funds grants to address cancer research, clinical trials, and laboratory facility construction in Texas
  • Voted for the successful reform of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and continues to advocate for maximizing federal funding for greater coverage of children
  • As a member of Appropriations Committee, supported efforts to rebuild the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Galveston and address trauma care funding, resulting in the reopening of the UTMB emergency room
  • Worked to prohibit limitations on stem cell research
  • Coauthored the bill for a Smoke Free Texas

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A few facts…

  • In 2007, Texas ranked first in the nation in the percentage of uninsured children.
  • Texas is in the bottom third of states’ spending on mental health and Medicaid.
  • 49 institutions make up the world-renowned Texas Medical Center (TMC) which is part of District 134 and employs more than 72,000 individuals and records 5.1 million patient visits annually. Many health care professionals live in the District and feel the impact of health care both at home and in the workplace.
  • The Memorial Hermann system and the Harris County Hospital District operate the only Level 1 trauma centers in Harris County. Together, they have historically provided the bulk of health care services to the county’s uninsured.