Henry Cuellar for Congress | Proven Leadership for Texas

Advocate for Health Care 

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a leading advocate for health care. As a Texas State Representative, he coauthored the pilot program for what would become the State's Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) helping to bring tens of thousands of uninsured low and middle income children quality health care.

Today, both uninsured and insured families in Texas are facing tremendous challenges in keeping or obtaining affordable health insurance. In fact, 1 out of 4 Texans has no health insurance and in the past decade, health insurance premiums in Texas have doubled.

In fact, Texas leads the country as the most uninsured state in the nation, and Congressman Cuellar's congressional district is the 3rd most uninsured district in Texas, according to the Houston Chronicle. That's why Congressman Cuellar believes in supporting local health care initiatives to deliver better community care for children, seniors, veterans and families.

Community Partner

Since coming to Congress, Congressman Cuellar has been working to support America's health care system through legislation and federal grant opportunities for Texas. By helping to secure millions in federal funds, Congressman Cuellar has helped sustain the needs of local community health clinics and those medical centers which play a vital role in delivering health care, primary care and preventative care to the 28th District of Texas. 

Several unique and significant health concerns, such as high rates of diabetes, obesity, tuberculosis, and cancer face South Texas. That's why in 2009, Congressman Cuellar partnered with local physicians to author federal legislation to create a WIC (Nutrition for Women, Infants and Children) pilot program to include glucose screening as part of WIC applications and primary health screening. Glucose screening is a critical first step in detecting juvenile and adult diabetes. Cuellar's legislation has since been signed into law and the U.S. Health and Human Services Department (HHS) is currently working on the nationwide plan as a way to help detect diabetes among at-risk populations. 

For the past five years, Congressman Cuellar has been a friend and ally to the community health centers in the 28th District in Texas. That's why the Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC) and Gateway Community Health Center have continuously recognized and honored his dedication to community health care. 

Standing by Seniors

Thousands of elderly Texans rely on Medicare services to ensure their physical health during their retirement years. Congressman Cuellar believes Medicare needs to be strengthened and financially solvent for the future. 

For more than 40 years, Medicare has offered critical health and financial stability for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Over 45 million Americans rely on the services Medicare provides. 

That's why in 2009, Congressman Cuellar helped pass legislation to extend Medicare's solvency by making increased investments in the Medicare Trust Fund. This legislation extends the solvency of the fund for five years. Over 94,000 seniors in the 28th District rely on Medicare for their health coverage and by making the necessary investments to fund its future, we ensure our seniors they can rely on Medicare today and tomorrow. 

Also in 2009, Congressman Cuellar helped pass legislation in the House to provide Seniors free preventive and wellness care. This legislation also would close the Medicare Part D donut hole, while providing discounted prescription drugs to Seniors. This bill would also eliminate the 21 percent Medicare cut planned for 2011 and put physician payments on a sustainable path for the future.

That's why AARP and other national senior health organizations supported this legislation and Congressman Cuellar's support in passing policy to increase reimbursements for primary care services to ensure doctors and patients of all ages can maintain the quality of health decision-making of today.