State
Key lawmaker pledges to work on Medicaid expansion
Posted: Mar 8, 2013 11:34 AM
Updated: Mar 8, 2013 11:34 AM
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas Republicans oppose expanding health care for the poor under President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, but a key leader has pledged to work on a Texas alternative.
House Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts said Friday that lawmakers have an obligation to try to expand health care for the poor and disabled. A Gallup poll released Friday shows that 28.8 percent of Texans lack health insurance.
Lawmakers heard testimony Friday about how Texas could provide 1 million people with health care coverage and better reimburse doctors by spending $18 billion and earning $100 billion in federal matching funds.
Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia have agreed to Medicaid expansion, with most states developing special programs.
Republicans oppose Obama's plan, but have left open the door to developing their own.
