Gallego and 10 U.S. House Democrats from Texas Ask Perry to Add to Special Session Call
Report Shows 48,900 Veterans in Texas will Miss out on Medicaid Expansion
Washington, D.C.: A report by the Urban Institute shows that nearly 49,000 veterans in Texas will not gain access to healthcare because Texas has declined to expand Medicaid. In light of the new report, Congressman Gallego has written a letter to Governor Perry urging him to add Medicaid expansion to his call for the special session. 11 of the 12 Texas Democrats in the U.S. House signed on to the letter.
“This report makes a compelling case for Medicaid expansion,” said Congressman Pete Gallego (TX-23). “I just returned from Afghanistan where I met with our brave service-members. We have an obligation to be there for them when they return. They deserve more than just rhetoric.”
“In April, after the Texas Governor and U.S. Senators cemented their staunch opposition to expanding healthcare for the millions of Texas families lacking care, we heard from of Texas families, the Texas Hospital Association, a mayor, county judges, and many others highlighting not only the moral, but economic imperatives for expanding Medicaid coverage in our state,” said Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20]. “The study cited in the letter shows us what we already know, as the state with the highest percentage of uninsured folks, Texas has the most to gain from participating in a program we are already paying for. With the special session underway in the Texas Legislature, the Governor has a chance to ensure that millions of Texans, including 49,000 of our military veterans, have access to quality health care. We know this can be done and hope Governor Perry does the right thing.”
You can read a piece on the report here, a summary of the report here, and the full report here.
The text of the letter is below.
Dear Governor Perry:
We regret that the 83rd Legislature failed to pass Medicaid expansion during the regular session. Expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would help insure 1.5 million Texans, draw down $90 billion in federal funds, lower the burden for Texas taxpayers, and relieve the budgets of local and county governments.
The failure of Medicaid expansion is particularly harmful to Texas veterans. A recent report highlighted the harmful impact of not expanding Medicaid to these Texans who have already given our country so much – and to whom our state and our nation owe a debt of gratitude. Nearly 49,000 veterans in Texas will not gain access to healthcare because Texas has declined to expand Medicaid.
A report by the Urban Institute shows that nearly 535,000 uninsured veterans and 174,000 spouses of veterans are eligible to obtain health coverage under the ACA through the Medicaid expansion. Sadly, more than a quarter million veterans who would have been eligible – 258,000 – live in states that have rejected the expansion. At 48,900, Texas is home to more than any other state.
This is unacceptable.
The Saturday preceding Memorial Day, you participated in a joint session with the Texas House and Texas Senate to honor Texas heroes. You noted, “There is absolutely no disagreement about the importance of honoring America’s fallen heroes…Let’s never forget the debt we owe all of those who served, not just on Memorial Day, but every day of the year.”
We fully share your sentiment. Our servicemen and servicewomen put their lives on the line and sacrifice so much for our freedom. They deserve much more than lofty rhetoric alone.
For the sake of Texas veterans and their families who have so honorably served our country, we respectfully request that you add Medicaid expansion to your call for the current special session.
We are aware of your opposition to expansion. However, in light of your recent pronouncement on the importance of veterans – and this new information regarding the harm done to these valiant Texans – we are hopeful that you will reconsider your position.
We cannot allow the well-being of our veterans to be overlooked. Texas must take advantage of every opportunity to give back to those who have already given us so much.
Sincerely,
Pete P. Gallego
Member of Congress (TX-23)
Joaquin Castro
Member of Congress (TX-20)
Beto O’Rourke
Member of Congress (TX-16)
Marc A. Veasey
Member of Congress (TX-33)
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Member of Congress (TX-30)
Sheila Jackson Lee
Member of Congress (TX-18)
Gene Green
Member of Congress (TX-29)
Lloyd Doggett
Member of Congress (TX-35)
Filemon Vela
Member of Congress (TX-34)
Ruben Hinojosa
Member of Congress (TX-15)
Al Green
Member of Congress (TX-9)
