Texas Democrats File Bills to Expand Medicaid as Session Opens
Texas Rep. John Bucy and Sen. Judith Zaffirini filed companion bills directing the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to expand Medicaid and submit a plan to the federal government, among the first bills filed as the state's 90th Legislature opened bill filing Monday. Texas is the most populous state that has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, a move the Texas Tribune reports would send the state up to $10 billion a year and cover an additional 1 million Texans; Medicaid in Texas currently mostly covers low-income children, new mothers and older adults, not working-age adults who earn too little for private coverage or whose employers don't offer it. Bucy acknowledged the bill will face pushback in the Republican-controlled Senate. The session convenes Jan. 12, with bill filing continuing through March 12.