In a statement, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) applauded the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) for securing nearly a billion dollars in funding for private hospitals.
“Texans across the state will now have greater access to the healthcare services they need with this additional annual funding,” said Gov. Abbott.
The Texas governor shared his approval of the HHSC and their effort in obtaining the funding.
“I applaud the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for their tireless work in securing approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for Texas’ plan to fund hundreds of private hospitals, providing crucial care to millions of Texans. Working together, we will ensure Texans in rural and border communities have the healthcare access they need and deserve for generations to come,” stated Abbott.
“We value our partnerships with these safety net providers across the state and know this funding will have a positive impact in Texas communities,” said HHSC Executive Commissioner Cecile Young.
According to the statement, the $982 million in funding will reach hundreds of hospitals through Medicaid Graduate Medical Education (GME) supplemental payments and the Hospital Augmented Reimbursement Program (HARP).
“Many of the payments will reach rural hospitals along the border that provide healthcare for millions of Texans,” reads the statement.
The HHSC had previously requested that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) amend the state Medicaid plan to allow payments to privately owned or operated hospitals.
In other news, Texas Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D) visited the border at Eagle Pass to call for “humane” laws in regard to the migrants.
Standing in front of a torn metal gate, Rep. Jackson Lee addressed viewers before she began her speech.
“You might be able to see where I am and...you might know what I’m getting ready to speak about because it does impact all of us, our cities, our counties, our states. That is what we’re doing here.”
The Texas representative pointed out the torn clothes left by migrants whose clothes were caught by the gate as they tried to cross the border.
“You can see clothing where people are losing their lives because we need more humane treatment dealing with immigration and dealing with people.”
The congresswoman continued to push for legislative change to help stop the controversial tactics used at the border.
“That’s why I’m here at Eagle Pass to make sure that we are more humane with the laws that are working in the right order. Federal government addresses this question and fixes it, not an interference by a system that does not work, which is the state system of involvement. We must fix this together.”
