Question is how to reform the Medicaid program for enrollees
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Hospitals agree with the Governor that the Medicaid program is severely flawed. Below cost reimbursement to providers creates an access to
care problem for the millions currently enrolled and there have been legitimate
concerns about whether the program can sustain the millions more who would have enrolled because of the healthcare reform law" said Texas Hospital Association president & chief executive officer Dan Stultz M.D. FACP FACHE.
His comments on behalf of the Texas Hospital Association (THA) came after Texas Gov. Rick Perry made clear his opposition to both the expansion of Medicaid as provided in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as well as the creation of a state health insurance exchange.
However without the Medicaid expansion many will remain uninsured seeking care in emergency rooms shifting costs to the privately insured and increasing uncompensated care to health care providers" Stultz said.
With a strained state budget its hard to imagine addressing the uninsured problem in Texas without leveraging federal funds which will now go to other states that choose to expand their Medicaid program.
We nonetheless look forward to working with the Governor and members of the Texas Legislature to find a way to ensure low income Texans have access to affordable insurance coverage and to reform the Medicaid program for those currently enrolled" said Stultz.
The Texas Hospital Association founded in 1930 is the leadership organization and principal advocate for the states hospitals and health care systems. Based in Austin THA enhances its members abilities to improve accessibility quality and cost-effectiveness of health care for all Texans.
One of the largest hospital associations in the country THA represents more than 85 percent of the states acute-care hospitals and health care systems which employ some 369000 health care professionals statewide.
To learn more about The Texas Hospital Association visit
www.tha.org or follow THA on Twitter @texashospitals.
