Politics & Policy
October 1, 2015
A Change of Heart
Patrick’s apparent reversal on Medicaid cuts is a victory for poor and disabled children.
Medicaid
Politics & Policy
September 17, 2015
Texas’s Brilliant Plan to Cut Medicaid for Disabled Children
How the Senate reduced therapy services for kids to help cover property tax relief.
Politics & Policy
March 2, 2015
Come and Take It, or Not
Dan Patrick and the Senate Republicans celebrated Texas Independence Day by throwing down the gauntlet on Medicaid.
Politics & Policy
January 19, 2015
The Coming Debate Over Medicaid Expansion
Let’s all agree on one this much: Medicaid is supposed to be a health care program, not a jobs plan.
Politics & Policy
December 29, 2014
A Path to Medicaid Expansion?
It appears that Governor-elect Abbott is considering some form of Medicaid expansion. If this is indeed the case, it is incredibly good news for Texas. Rick Perry’s rejection of Medicaid expansion was petulant and extremely damaging to the state. The cost of expansion to the state is miniscule (mainly covering
Politics & Policy
December 18, 2014
Gambling In The Casino
Jack Stick’s resignation shows that even in Texas, some things count as corruption
Politics & Policy
July 8, 2014
Asleep at the Switch
Wendy Davis is asleep at the switch again. The Obama administration has opened a new front on the battle over Medicaid expansion. By 2016, says the White House, states that have adopted expansion will have saved $4.3 billion. In addition, expansion states would have experienced 3.3 million annual physicians’ visits,
Politics & Policy
September 19, 2013
Perry seeks block grant from Feds for Medicaid
The probability of getting the feds to agree to a block grant—with all of the exceptions Texas is seeking—is about the same as shooting a unicorn on a hunting trip.
Politics & Policy
April 8, 2013
Area 51
The first day of debate over the House Appropriations bill is typically one of the most consequential events of a legislative session. Last Thursday’s debate was no exception. The highlight was a school vouchers amendment by Democrat Abel Herrero, of Corpus Christi: The language of Herrero’s amendment read, “Use
Politics & Policy
October 31, 2012
Forbes: FL & TX governors could cost hospitals billions
The headline of the Forbes story was: RICK PERRY AND RICK SCOTT COULD COST HOSPITALS BILLIONS From Forbes: The nation’s state and local public hospitals may face an increase of more than $50 billion in the costs of uncompensated care by 2019 if states decide against participating in
Politics & Policy
September 10, 2011
Yahoo! columnist criticizes Perry’s Medicaid record
Joe Conason's article contains nothing that is new to those who follow Texas government. It focuses on the Accenture contract and the attempt to save money by privatizing the health care bureaucracy, a scheme that was the brainchild of Arlene Wohlgemuth in the Medicaid legislation of 2003. I thought
Politics & Policy
April 8, 2011
R.G.’s Take: Medicaid, “Dewbamacare,” and Why We All Should Care
Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst’s sincere effort to overhaul state Medicaid to save taxpayers money and improve health care for the poor has become the best jibe of the session, mirthfully described in Capitol hallway whispers as “Dewbamacare.” That may be nothing more than a joking reference to the federal Patient
Politics & Policy
March 24, 2011
Zaffirini Throws a Lifeline
A bumpy ride for Senator Jane Nelson’s subcommittee on Medicaid came to an end this morning when senators voted 5-2 to move her recommendations on to the full Finance committee. The two “no” votes were Democratic senators Zaffirini and Whitmire, both of whom were spotted huddling with Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst
Politics & Policy
February 4, 2009
Obama ups the ante in Medicaid debate
President Obama just lent a hand to the advocates in Austin who have been arguing for 12-month eligibility for families signing up for Medicaid, as opposed to having to re-up every six months. Obama today signed the SCHIP Reauthorization Act, which rewards states that reach more children with Medicaid. Currently,