Texas Scorecard by Jeramy Kitchen April 16, 2021
It is still unclear whether state legislators will act on the news by hearing any of the filed legislation relating to Medicaid expansion this session.On Friday, the Biden administration rescinded an approved plan put together under the Trump administration that had extended Texas’ current Medicaid plan for an additional 10 years. It was originally set to expire in 2022, before the extension was granted on January 15 of this year.
The current waiver provided more than $11 billion in federal funding per year to the state. This funding was a way that Texas provided coverage for its uninsured patients in the wake of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, and its reluctance to expand Medicaid.
Critics characterize the decision as a blatant effort by the Biden administration to push Texas and the other 11 states that have not adopted the Medicaid expansion.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott stated, “By rescinding this waiver extension, the Biden administration is obstructing healthcare access for vulnerable Texans and taking away crucial resources for rural hospitals in Texas.†He went on to say, “The State of Texas spent months negotiating this agreement with the federal government to ensure vital funds for hospitals, nursing homes, and mental health resources for Texans who are uninsured. With this action, the Biden administration is deliberately betraying Texans who depend on the resources made possible through this waiver.â€
It is still unclear whether state legislators will act on the news by hearing any of the filed legislation relating to Medicaid expansion this session. The Texas House of Representatives is scheduled to take up the overall state budget next Thursday, April 22. Historically, amendments related to Medicaid expansion are filed when lawmakers discuss Article II, the healthcare portion, as part of their overall budget deliberations.
More:
https://texasscorecard.com/state/biden-attempts-to-force-medicaid-expansion-in-texas/
