Sebelius: Feds Open to "Uniquely Texan" Medicaid Expansion

The federal government is open to expanding Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act in a way that is more tailored to Texas’ preferences, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday while visiting Austin City Hall.

 
“We are eager to have discussions with Texas about a program that could look uniquely Texan,” Sebelius said. “But as far as I know, those conversations, at least with the state officials, are not taking place right now.”
 
The federal government has committed $90 billion to extend health benefits to adults below the federal poverty line through Texas’ Medicaid program, which currently provides coverage to poor children, the disabled and extremely poor parents. But that money won’t reach Texas unless Gov. Rick Perry and the state Legislature approve expanding Medicaid benefits to poor adults — a position that state leaders have consistently opposed.