R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Several hundred thousand working Texas families have
 1-2     a household income that is above the Medicaid threshold yet is
 1-3     inadequate to afford health insurance coverage for their children;
 1-4     these families are trapped in the "gray area" between independence
 1-5     and assistance; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, "Gray area" families consequently lack access to
 1-7     routine health care services, and their children lag behind the
 1-8     state average in immunizations and well-care exams; often their
 1-9     only avenue for health care is a hospital emergency room, with
1-10     little or nothing to pay for services; and
1-11           WHEREAS, In 1991, the Caring for Children Foundation of
1-12     Texas, Inc., was created as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization to
1-13     specifically address the needs of medically underserved children,
1-14     the young Texans in "gray area" families; and
1-15           WHEREAS, Through enrollment in its Caring for Children
1-16     Program, the Caring for Children Foundation of Texas provides
1-17     eligible youth with access to outpatient, primary, and preventive
1-18     health care services and prescription drugs; and
1-19           WHEREAS, There is no enrollment fee for the Caring for
1-20     Children Program, and parents pay only a $5 co-payment for
1-21     prescriptions; this worthy program is funded entirely through
1-22     donations from committed individuals and like-minded groups and
1-23     organizations within the private sector; and
1-24           WHEREAS, Through the generosity of Blue Cross and Blue Shield
 2-1     of Texas, Inc., all administrative and operational expenses of the
 2-2     program are covered; all donations received by the Caring for
 2-3     Children Program go directly and only to the enrollment of eligible
 2-4     youngsters; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, Thus far, more than 6,200 enrollments have been
 2-6     provided through the program, giving more and more Texans access to
 2-7     the health care services they need to lead healthier, longer lives;
 2-8     and
 2-9           WHEREAS, In light of its remarkable service to date, the
2-10     Caring for Children Program and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
2-11     Texas, Inc., are most deserving of special legislative recognition
2-12     at this time; now, therefore, be it
2-13           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-14     Legislature hereby commend all those associated with the Caring for
2-15     Children Foundation of Texas, Inc., and Blue Cross and Blue Shield
2-16     of Texas, Inc., for their leadership in bringing help and renewed
2-17     hope to the "gray area" families of Texas; and, be it further
2-18           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-19     prepared for the Caring for Children Foundation of Texas, Inc., and
2-20     Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Inc., as an expression of high
2-21     regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
                                                                      Madden
                                                                     Cuellar
                                                           Moreno of El Paso
                                                                     Farabee
                                                                       Hodge
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 209 was adopted by the House on April
         16, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House