COVID-19 and Lost Jobs Underscore Need for Medicaid Expansion

The dual crises that our country is currently facing — a public health crisis and an economic crisis — are a painful reminder of the importance of Medicaid expansion and other elements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

As you know, Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation, in large part because our state leaders still have not accepted federal Medicaid expansion funding to cover uninsured janitors, child care workers, and other low-wage adults. We know that one of the consequences of a high uninsured rate is that more people delay getting health care until their medical conditions are worse and rely on the emergency room for care.

The Texas Tribune recently spoke to health care experts who confirmed that the state's high uninsured rate makes it harder for Texans to go to the doctor if they experience coronavirus symptoms and harder to get tested and treated.

Federal and state leaders must not only confront the public health crisis before us, but they must address the economic impact. The overall economy is in dire straits, and many Texans who work in restaurants and other fields are losing their jobs or seeing their paychecks shrink.

If Texas expanded Medicaid, it would provide these restaurant workers and other Texans with some financial stability and ensure that they can see the doctor — whether it's for cancer, diabetes, the flu, or coronavirus. It would also inject up to $10 billion into the Texas economy when we need it most.

Expanding Medicaid certainly isn't the only solution to the current public health and economic crises, and there are other steps that state leaders must focus on in the short term. But Medicaid expansion should be part of the state's medium-term strategy.

Unfortunately the state is moving in the opposite direction. State leaders are currently pushing a Health Care Repeal Lawsuit that would wipe out protections for pre-existing conditions, the option of Medicaid expansion, and other ACA benefits, resulting in 1.7 million Texans losing their health insurance.

As the coronavirus underscores the importance of health coverage, and we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the ACA on Monday, we urge state leaders to stop pursuing their Health Care Repeal Lawsuit.

In the coming days and weeks, Cover Texas Now will continue to monitor the situation and work to share relevant policy recommendations developed by coalition members.

In the meantime, we hope that all of you are practicing social distancing, staying safe, and weathering these challenging times.