Houston Legislator A Strong Voice for Children’s Health

Garnet Coleman (Flemming Fellow ’95), a policymaker involved in public service all his life, from watching his father work on campaigns growing up to representing his own Houston constituents, believes government has a job to do.

Coleman is putting the government to work helping families become self-sufficient and healthy.

Now in his fifth legislative term, Coleman is steering through the legislature a children’s health bill (HB 2708) that guarantees health care for children of legal immigrants who fall at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. As the federal law stands now, children of legal immigrants who entered the U.S. after August 22, 1996 must wait five years before receiving CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) assistance and other safety net benefits available to U.S.-born children who meet federal poverty criteria.

Under Coleman’s bill, which just passed committee, state funds will be used to create a CHIP-like program to fill the health care gap for the 5100 Texas children who don’t meet federal criteria and aren’t covered by other programs like Medicaid.

The collegial atmosphere of the Texas legislature has played a big part in getting this health bill and other reform legislation passed in the last few sessions. The Texas legislature differs from others in the absence of leadership positions like majority and minority whips, which are typically chosen by parties. Committee membership, chosen by the Speaker, is balanced and bi-partisan, encouraging policymakers of different parties and interests to work together and fostering more trust among members.

Coleman, who is Vice-Chair of the Public Health Committee, notes that when crafting a bill one of his first steps is to identify other legislators who bring a balance of region and interests to the sponsorship.

"It’s really a prescription for good policymaking," says Coleman. "And it’s a validation of CPA’s model of operating across party lines and other boundaries. We are proof that this new leadership style works."