Texas insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Today Governor Rick Perry sent a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius rejecting federal funding for Medicaid services in Texas and federal funding to assist in setting up a state health insurance exchange that would allow uninsured individuals to purchase health insurance.
In response Rep. Green said Im disappointed in Governor Perrys announcement to reject federal Medicaid funding and his refusal to set up a state health exchange.
The Medicaid refusal will mean fewer children and families will receive necessary healthcare and will primarily impact our working families that currently fall through the cracks because they cant afford their own health plan but make enough money that they cant qualify for current Medicaid. For three years the Medicaid expansion would not have cost the state of Texas one dime.
After three years the state would have the option to pay 10 or go back to the old system without penalty. The decision to forego setting up a state exchange is a terrible idea.
The Affordable Care Act was very clear every state will have an exchange. The bill provides grant money which the State of Texas requested to defray the cost of setting up an exchange. However the decision by Governor Perry means that the Federal Government will come in and set up our exchange for us. Texas will have no opportunity to customize and tailor the exchange to the unique needs of Texans. The Texas Department of Insurance will have absolutely no control and no authority.
We can disagree with parts of the law but it is the law the Supreme Court has ruled on it and it is time for Governor Perry to respect that."
Texas insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Today Governor Rick Perry sent a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius rejecting federal funding for Medicaid services in Texas and federal funding to assist in setting up a state health insurance exchange that would allow uninsured individuals to purchase health insurance.
In response Rep. Green said Im disappointed in Governor Perrys announcement to reject federal Medicaid funding and his refusal to set up a state health exchange.
The Medicaid refusal will mean fewer children and families will receive necessary healthcare and will primarily impact our working families that currently fall through the cracks because they cant afford their own health plan but make enough money that they cant qualify for current Medicaid. For three years the Medicaid expansion would not have cost the state of Texas one dime.
After three years the state would have the option to pay 10 or go back to the old system without penalty. The decision to forego setting up a state exchange is a terrible idea.
The Affordable Care Act was very clear every state will have an exchange. The bill provides grant money which the State of Texas requested to defray the cost of setting up an exchange. However the decision by Governor Perry means that the Federal Government will come in and set up our exchange for us. Texas will have no opportunity to customize and tailor the exchange to the unique needs of Texans. The Texas Department of Insurance will have absolutely no control and no authority.
We can disagree with parts of the law but it is the law the Supreme Court has ruled on it and it is time for Governor Perry to respect that."
