FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, July 31, 1995
Contact: Michael Kharfen (202) 401-9215
HHS APPROVES TEXAS WELFARE DEMONSTRATION
HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today approved "Promoting Child
Health in Texas," a statewide welfare demonstration project in
Texas. Texas is the 31st state to receive approval for a welfare waiver
under the Clinton administration.
"The Texas demonstration promotes
the Clinton administration's goal of encourging parental responsibility
under welfare reform," said Secretary Shalala. "It also assures
the health and well-being of children."
Under the demonstration, the parent
or guardian of all pre-school age children receiving Aid to Families
with Dependent Children (AFDC) benefits will be required to provide
proof that their children have either received or begun to receive the
immunizations appropriate for their age. Parents or guardians will be
required to present each child's immunization records during their regular
AFDC periodic six-month recertification interview, or a fiscal sanction
may be imposed.
The state will continue its efforts
to educate parents about the urgency of immunizations, extend opportunities
to receive vaccines in Department of Human Services' offices, and work
cooperatively with the Texas Department of Health to find ways to facilitate
immunizations for children on AFDC caseloads. The Texas Department of
Health is targeting $10 million to improve access and does not intend
to impose sanctions until barriers to access have been addressed.
"Texas is making a tremendous effort
to ensure that all its children are protected from life-threatening
illnesses," said Mary Jo Bane, assistant secretary for children
and families. "The state is also educating parents to fulfill their
fundamental responsibility to secure proper medical attention for their
children's health."
The demonstration will operate for six
years, beginning Sept. 1, 1995, and include a rigorous evaluation.
###
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials
are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
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