Kaiser News Network posted a video webcast about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the health care reform law.
What does the court decision mean for Texas? From the Texas Tribune:
In the wake of Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding federal health reform, Texas has two big choices to make: whether to accept federal funds to expand Medicaid, and whether to roll out a consumer marketplace for comparing and purchasing insurance coverage.
While the Supreme Court found the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid constitutional, it held that states can’t be penalized by the federal government if they choose not to accept federal funding and do it. Republican Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who sued the federal government over “Obamacare” on Texas’ behalf, said it’s not yet clear whether Texas will opt out of the expansion — and the associated funding.
The Medicaid expansion, if implemented, is targeted at poor adults — those who can’t afford to buy insurance through the exchange. In a press release, Texas Hospital Association President Dan Stultz said the Medicaid expansion is essential to financially support the Affordable Care Act. “Without the Medicaid expansion, many will remain uninsured, shifting costs to the insured and increasing uncompensated care to health care providers,” he said.