| Going beyond money, benefits
When 5,300 Houston janitors went on strike last fall, they were seeking a raise to $8.50 an hour, paid family health insurance and full-time work. But city of Houston employees, who'll begin contract negotiations today, haven't been as focused on pay and benefits. The Houston Organization of Public Employees, which represents 13,000 employees at City Hall, are looking for a better performance evaluation system and a chance to offer ideas on how to improve city services, according to union officials. "I think voice is more important than more money," said Damon Russell, a truck driver in the public works department and a member of the new 38-employee negotiating team. Employees want respect at work and to feel a sense of pride for doing a good job for their fellow Houstonians, said Russell, who was recently promoted and now earns $9.42 an hour.
Texas Children Must Have Health Care Coverage
Nearly 400 Texas physicians, medical students, and hospital leaders rallied state legislators today to pass legislation that would provide health insurance to thousands of Texas children.Physician and hospital leaders from across the state joined state Reps. Sylvester Turner (D-Houston); House Bill 109 author, John Davis (R-Houston); Elliott Naishtat (D-Austin); and Patrick Rose (D-Dripping Springs) to encourage their colleagues to pass HB 109. The bill would restore 12 months of continuous coverage for kids in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), establish a more realistic asset test for working families, and remove the 90-day waiting period for uninsured children.Health care leaders believe restoring the cuts made to CHIP in 2003 is a critical and important first step in reducing the number of uninsured children.
Measure intended to insure more Texas children
AUSTIN More children of the working poor would have access to low-cost health insurance under a plan tentatively approved today in the Texas House. Final approve could come tomorrow, then the bill would move to the Senate. The measure would dismantle several changes made by the 2003 Legislature, when Texas faced a budget shortfall and cut spending on the Children's Health Insurance Program. The bill by Representative Sylvester Turner of Houston would let parents re-enroll in CHIP every year -- instead of every six months. The measure also would eliminate the 90-day waiting period unless the child had recently been covered in another insurance plan. Backers say allowing for 12-month eligibility periods would save the state money by treating them before they end up in costly emergency rooms and county hospitals.
|
