TX Doctors Lead 32 Groups Urging Gov. Abbott to Expand Medicaid

The calls for Texas leaders to implement Medicaid expansion continue to grow louder.

This week, the Texas Medical Association spearheaded a letter by 32 Texas organizations urging Governor Abbott to enact a comprehensive health coverage solution. The letter specifically suggests that Texas leaders accept federal Medicaid expansion funding to provide a health coverage option to uninsured low-income adults.

Several members of the Cover Texas Now coalition signed the letter, which was reported in the Houston Chronicle.

The letter notes:

“To truly defeat COVID-19, Texas must let loose every authority at its disposal. It is for this reason we write to you now – organizations representing physicians, nurses, consumers, hospitals, long-term care providers, community clinics, and health plans – asking for your support to enact comprehensive health care coverage initiatives.”

“Without meaningful health care coverage, the virus will particularly imperil a large swath of Texas’ workforce, including many of the very people on whom Texans depend to provide essential services – grocery store clerks, bus drivers, janitors, and even health care workers.”

“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas held the dubious distinction of being the uninsured capital of the country, with nearly one in five Texans lacking health care coverage. The pandemic has only exacerbated Texas’ problem.”

“Texas has several options to craft a plan designed for the needs of the Lone Star State, including drawing down federal Medicaid funds to cover low-income working Texans.” 

You can read the full letter here.