McALLEN - Several families, who need healthcare coverage in the Valley, will now have new health plans to choose from thanks to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Driscoll Children's Health Plan officials announced that it was recently awarded a Medicaid Managed Care Contract and the non-profit health plan will expand further into South Texas and cover ten counties. The main goal is to continue to deliver quality care to the Valley, especially for families who are living in poverty. Driscoll Health Plan CEO Mary Dale Peterson stated, "We know that there is a correlation with education and poverty and poor health from a variety of reasons. I think this is an opportunity for the Driscoll Health Plan to help the physicians and other healthcare providers in this area." The Medicaid Managed Care Contract will not begin until March 1, 2012. It will not be available in December.