Texas Democrats See Path to Medicaid Expansion
Despite Gov. Rick Perry’s firm opposition to a key tenet of federal health reform — expanding the state’s Medicaid program for those with low incomes — Texas Democrats remain optimistic that the 2013 legislative session can yield a deal that brings in billions in additional federal dollars.
It will be a tough sell: No Republican lawmakers have gone on record supporting the Medicaid expansion, which would add an estimated 1.8 million Texans onto the joint state-federal health plan by 2022.
But state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, said fiscal conservatives have an incentive to reach an agreement “because the alternative ...
Comments (9)
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Dream on! Adding tens of billions in Federally unfunded mandates that the state can avoid would be having Austin join Washington in a fiscal suicide pact. No Thanks!
Dave Beavers via Texas Tribune on Facebook
We CAN'T afford the Medicaid expansion. Yet more federal mandates that they expect the STATES to pay for.
V Marshall
One question. When the feds go to funding expanded Medicaid at the same rate they fund regular Medicaid, are Texas Democrats going to take the heat for figuring out how to find those revenue dollars? This has been mentioned several times as something that has bi-partisan support in Congress as potential deficit reduction. Best way to reduce federal deficits without pain is to transfer the taxing burden to the states. Remember when welfare was "reformed" Medicaid was a 100% federally funded program? Now it is a 50% federally funded program.
Susie Martinez-Dominguez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
He's such a blind fool.
Michelle James
We can't afford to NOT expand Medicaid. We have the highest uninsured rate and the e/r (for which us tax payers pick up the tab) is NOT health insurance. And we have some of the most strict eligibility rules. The feds will only continue to fund a smaller portion of Medicaid if we don't expand. If we do, they fund it 100% for three years, then 90%. Texas would only pick up the tab for those eligible now that didn't enroll before, not the newly eligible.
Jim Baxa
Sen Nelson, we dont need "permission" from the federal govt to change medicaid. We can end medicaid now if we want to, and we can make any changes that we want. We are, afterall, a "sovereign state." The consequences of such cuts might be that we lose federal funding for medicaid, but we would be better off doing it the Texas way, and not increasing the dependency on the govt like medicaid currently does. Not only should we not expand medicaid, but we should eliminate it altogether.
Michelle James
Jim Baxa: Eliminate Medicaid? Who will treat all of our uninsured? Oh yeah, emergency rooms. The "Texas Way?" Oh yeah, I forget that means going back to the dark ages. Well, you can expect property taxes to go through the roof. You are heartless and what happens if you lose your job, insurance, and wealth?
From a Kaiser Family Foundation New Release today: "If coverage is expanded, states can expect to see declines in uncompensated care costs tied to spending on hospital care for people without insurance. If all states adopted the Medicaid expansion, it is estimated that states could save $18 billion from 2013-2022. That would help to further mitigate the incremental costs of implementing the Medicaid expansion, particularly for states in the South, which tend to spend more on uncompensated care relative to their current spending on Medicaid than do states in other regions."
David Spratt
If all states adopted the Medicaid expansion, it is estimated that states could save $18 billion from 2013-2022
This is representative of the progressive liberal thought process of Mrs. James. The story stated Texas will spend an estimated 5.7 bil over this period,,,,,, a sum that is sure to double at the least,,,
The 18 bil is the sum of all 50 states I assume.
So the thought is ,,,, if we spend potentially 100's of billions collectively ,,, we can save 18 bil???????
Maybe this is along the same lines of " We have to pass it to find out what is in it?"
We have to spend money to save money?????????????
This ObamaCare is a monstrosity of unworkable,,,, unfundable,,, legislation filled with unknown rules , regulations, more laws and costs that NOBODY can even get a handle on to this day. Texas is right to opt out and not get tangled up in being obligated to provide health care for all under rules and regulations that are still being written .
How do you actually know what you are committing to?????? You are committing to paying for whatever the Feds decide ,, and NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THAT IS !!!
As said before the only bright spot in the last election is that everyone who voted for Obama and ,more bailouts , handouts and giveaways along with ObamaCare will suffer the consequences along with the rest of us who will be telling them later " We told you so !!!!"
David Spratt
Still waiting for the outcry from those people ,,, obviously not paying attention,,,, who will be found to have funds available to purchase the required health care or pay the penalty, tax , fine for not having health care. Quite a few of those " Uninsured" just simply chose to spend their money elsewhere rather than purchase health insurance.. Soon they will not have that choice any longer.
Rest assured the IRS will be letting you know very soon !!!