Medicaid

With the return of pre-pandemic Medicaid rules, nonprofits and community organizations are working to help low-income and vulnerable Texans navigate the renewal process and maintain health coverage.

A pandemic-era rule gave people consistent access to health care — but that rule is about to expire.

In Texas, many uninsured people can access Medicaid if they get pregnant. But 2 months after giving birth, the coverage ends. Advocates say new moms need a full year, to improve maternal health.

Hours on the phone trying to find a doctor and limited postpartum care are only some challenges pregnant people face. But advocates and birth workers hope this legislative session will extend coverage and address gaps in the system.

Millions of Texans — mostly children, young adults and new moms — stayed on Medicaid for the duration of the pandemic. The state will soon start reevaluating eligibility.

Low-income Texans no longer able to access abortion are likely to carry out a pregnancy. Many of them don’t have health insurance, which means they’re eligible for Medicaid. But the system operates at the minimum here.

If passed, the Build Back Better bill would extend health plans to people living in Texas and the other 11 states that didn't expand Medicaid.

Congressional Democrats have finally found a way to expand Medicaid in the dozen states that haven’t yet done so.

Advocates thought health care would be a top priority for the Legislature during a pandemic. For the most part it wasn't.

By expanding Medicaid, Texas would receive an increase of $5.4 billion in new federal funds annually. It also would provide health insurance to 1 million low-income Texans. What are the downsides to expanding this program?