Medicaid

Texas rural hospitals are in a struggle to stay open.In the last decade, 14 rural hospitals have closed down. Of the 156 rural hospitals currently in the state, about 70% have lost services, and more than half are at risk of closing. Federal cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and Affordable Care Act coverage are expected to significantly increase the uninsured rate in Texas and could cause more rural hospitals to shutter. What’s being done to keep these vital lifelines open?

The Medicaid cuts add up to nearly a trillion dollars over ten years, and 12 million people could lose access to health care. Medicare also faces deep reductions in spending, even though it's not slashed in this legislation. It insures the elderly, and it may lose half a trillion dollars to sequestration. KFF Health News DC correspondent Julie Rovner told Bonnie Petrie that no one will be unaffected.

The Supreme Court allowed South Carolina to remove Planned Parenthood clinics from its state Medicaid program, even though Medicaid funds cannot generally be used to fund abortions.

Americans across the political spectrum like Medicaid and think it should get more funding, not less, according to a new poll from health research organization KFF.

On Thursday, the U.S. House narrowly passed a sweeping bill that slashes about $3.8 trillion in taxes by scaling back social safety net programs including Medicaid and SNAP.

President Trump and the Republican controlled congress are planning deep cuts to Medicaid to help cover the cost of $4.5 billion in tax breaks. This could knock off over 8 million people from Medicaid and reduce services for millions more. Texas rural hospitals will be especially hit hard along with Texas new mothers and children.

The federal program is the biggest source of money for long-term care for the elderly and disabled. Republican proposals to cut its budget could jeopardize supports family and caregivers rely on.

Dr. Mehmet Oz appeared before the Senate Finance committee Friday for his confirmation hearing to be the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“Now that we have this coverage, what do we do to make sure women can get it?,” one health advocate said.

Texas state Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, revived his proposal for a Medicaid expansion program in case state or federal Republican leaders change their minds.