AUSTIN – Federal regulators have rejected a Texas plan to expand Medicaid for new mothers because the benefits are too restrictive, according to state...
Rep. Toni Rose, a Dallas Democrat, and House Speaker Dade Phelan said they will try to pass a bill guaranteeing a full year of coverage.5:52 PM on Aug 4, 2022 CDT
Last year, the GOP-led Legislature voted to extend the safety net coverage from two to six months post-pregnancy. But the federal government, which helps foot the bill and has final say over the change, has taken issue with the eligibility restrictions Texas imposed, the Texas House Women’s Health Caucus said.
Advocates say coverage shouldn’t be dependent on how a pregnancy ends, and they worry that Texas’ new abortion ban would discourage women from being honest about their health status.The federal government’s rejection of the Texas plan has no immediate impact because no one is being moved off the program during the pandemic. But it does put pressure on the Legislature to pass a bill that was already a tough sell for Republicans who are often reluctant to expand Medicaid.
“Now more than ever before, it is critical that all Texas moms have access to the comprehensive healthcare services they need to not only remain healthy, but to take care of their families as well,” said the policy’s author, Rep. Toni Rose, D-Dallas, in a written statement.
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