TX may use Medicaid funds to subsidize insurance for poor

A new plan under discussion in Texas would redistribute DSH funding to fund a program subsidizing health insurance for the poor. The $246 million fund would subsidize health policies on a sliding scale based on income. Under current criteria, the program would make insurance available to 2.1 million adults, who would be helped on a first-come, first-served basis. 

As structured, the proposal wouldn't cut the safety-net hospitals' funding. To generate the money for the program, state lawmakers would provide a $150 million reimbursement increase for the hospitals, which treat a large share of Medicaid beneficiaries. The $150 million would then be matched by $246 million in federal funding.

To learn more about the program:
- read this piece from The Dallas Morning News

Related Articles:
MA charity hospitals face big reimbursement cuts. Report
Kaiser awards $7M to CA "safety net" hospitals. Report
Trend: Number of uninsured Californians to rise. Report
Federal bill would increase DSH funding eligibility. Report