In 2013, the American uninsured used $84.9 billion that they couldn't afford and was deemed "Uncompensated Care."
When the Affordable Care Act passed the idea was that this number would go down as Medicaid was expanded to cover low-income people who didn't have insurance. States like Texas didn't expand their Medicaid programs to include more than a million low-income Texans, so the state saw no drop in uncompensated care.
To cover the cost, the Federal government offers the Medicaid 1115 waiver for uncompensated care. The five-year program is coming to an end and there are no guarantees it will be renewed. The state is preparing to reapply for an extension of the waiver and some health professionals are worried that the program funding will dry up, meaning billions in additional costs for hospitals and healthcare providers.
Currently the program is in its public comment period so we want to find out more and let you comment.
Guests:
- Ken Janda, President and CEO of Community Health Choice, a Houston-based non-profit health plan
- George B. Hernandez Jr., President and CEO of University Health System, administrative anchor for South Texas' Regional Healthcare Partnership 6
- Leon Evans, President and CEO of Center for Health Care Services, the mental health authority in Bexar County
