Texas congressional Democrats propose bill to let local governments expand Medicaid without state

[TexasTowelie]

Texas congressional Democrats propose bill to let local governments expand Medicaid without state consent

by Karen Brooks Harper, Texas Tribune


Local governments would be able to bypass conservative state leaders and implement their own Medicaid expansion programs for working poor Texans with federal funds, under federal legislation announced Monday by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin.

Dubbed the “Cover Outstanding Vulnerable Expansion-Eligible Residents Now Act,” the legislation is a “homegrown solution” to a decade of resistance by a handful of red states to allowing more people who are struggling financially to access the federal health care program, said Doggett, chairman of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee and lead sponsor of the bill, which has more than 40 cosponsors.

In Texas, that could be as many as 1 million newly eligible residents — most of them people of color — who currently fall into that gap because they can’t afford private health insurance and can’t qualify for subsidies, but make too much to qualify for Medicaid.

The bill sponsors include all of the Texas congressional Democrats and most Democrats from 12 other states that have refused to expand Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act. It is the first time local governments have been able to directly contract with the federal government for Medicaid funds.

“For many of our most disadvantaged citizens, this bill offers a pathway to access a family physician, necessary medicine, and other essential coverage that thirteen States continue to deny,” Doggett said in a statement. “The COVER Now Act empowers local leaders to assure that the obstructionists at the top can no longer harm the most at-risk living at the bottom.”

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/06/21/texas-medicaid-democrats/

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. That is excellent news and I hope it really happens. Too many people need it, now. n/t

[Budi]

2. The COVER Now Act Empowers people, & thus Empower a voting base to get rid of TX Repiblican control

“The COVER Now Act empowers local leaders to assure that the obstructionists at the top can no longer harm the most at-risk living at the bottom.”

Am damned impressed at the creative work-around by our Tx Democrats & their supporters of 21 States, currently under the suppressed Republican govts.

💙

[walkingman]

3. Lloyd Doggett (or Lloyd Dogass as my redneck neighbor calls him) is a great

Representative. I wish I had one as good. In case anyone didn't know we have the highest uninsured # in the USA. And our ignorant legislature refuses to allow expanded Medicaid. I this were to pass it would affect literally several million people.