McALLEN -- Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa will give the keynote address Saturday at a CHIP rally in Pharr with the Children's Defense Fund-RGV.

"CHIP enrollment is at crisis level in South Texas," Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa said. "We have lost nearly 43 percent in enrollment in the Rio Grande Valley since 2003, which is unacceptable, especially in the State of Texas where we are already first in the nation in the number of uninsured children."

Senator Hinojosa said that CHIP enrollment rallies, like the one that will take place on Saturday, are crucial in helping working families enroll their children in CHIP and Medicaid.

"Children's Defense Fund-RGV is playing a critical role in helping working families obtain much needed health insurance coverage," Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa said. "They are key players in grassroots efforts to help working families in South Texas. And I am pleased to celebrate their 5th anniversary at this important event."

The Children's Defense Fund-RGV will hold its Children's Health Insurance Program Rally from 10:00 A.M. to 1 P.M. Saturday at 944 W. Nolana in Pharr between Sugar and Jackson Roads.

At the CHIP rally, parents can apply for CHIP/Children's Medicaid health coverage and get help with renewals. For more information on this event, call the Children's Defense Fund at (956) 782-4000.

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