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3:13 pm CST - February 07, 2013
Posted under On The Record
Rep. Eric Johnson Files Bills to Expand Medicaid, Begin Statewide Health Insurance Exchange
By Rep. Johnson, Eric
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – State Representative Eric Johnson (Dallas) filed legislation this morning to expand Medicaid eligibility for Texans and establish a statewide Health Insurance Exchange program under the parameters of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) passed by Congress in 2010.
Medicaid eligibility expansion would take advantage of a provision in the ACA allowing states to increase the number of people covered by Medicaid. The federal government would fund 100% of the cost of the expansion for the first three years, after which it would provide $9 for every $1 spent by the state. This option allows Texas to provide care for more people while decreasing the costs of paying for the uninsured.
“Millions of Texans remain uninsured. We must seize the opportunity that has fallen in our lap to remedy that problem,” said Representative Johnson. “If we choose not to adopt Medicaid eligibility expansion, our federal tax dollars will effectively be spent on other states’ health care programs. This is the right thing to do whether you’re looking at it from a moral standpoint or a fiscal one.”
The Health Insurance Exchange would enable Texans to find the health care plan best for their individual needs by providing an online marketplace with clear, detailed information on each plan.
House Bill 999 expands Medicaid eligibility for Texans in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. This will mean 1.5 million more Texans covered.
House Bill 1001 allows Dallas County to apply for a waiver to expand Medicaid eligibility on its own. In the event that the state government refuses to accept the money from the federal government, Dallas County should not be punished.
House Bill 1002 establishes a statewide health insurance exchange, as provided for by the Affordable Care Act. This will allow customers a fair look at what plans are available to them.
Eric Johnson represents District 100, which includes parts of Dallas and Mesquite, in the Texas House of Representatives.
4 Comments
garywfbg
3:47 pm CST
February 07, 2013
Mr. Johnson
I thought the state of Texas was one of those states not going to set up this Obamacare exchange crap. If you want this mess—move your @$$ to Chicago and leave us Texans alone!!!
garywfbg
3:52 pm CST
February 07, 2013
Trust me Mr. Johnson—whatever we get out of this Obamacre act will not apply to those Turkeys in D-C. So stop trying to suck up to Obama and let Texas stand by herself if need be, we will be fine and all those uninsured will be fine. I like to help the helpless, not the cluless (like you).
» Texas Insider » Rep. Eric Johnson Files Bills to Expand Medicaid …
6:26 pm CST
February 07, 2013
[...] Texas Insider » Rep. Eric Johnson Files Bills to Expand Medicaid … Go to this article [...]
Pennie
9:15 pm CST
February 07, 2013
Texas takes care of it’s own. Take your liberal ideas with you out of the State.
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