In Texas and nationally, health care programs for the poor must become more effective, efficient, and accountable. Lawmakers are rightly concerned about rising enrollment and costs in Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Texas physicians recognize the need to assure that these programs must be more effective, efficient, and accountable. At the same time, these Medicaid and CHIP are vital to the health and well-being of the state’s poor and low-income families as well as the economic vitality of the state and local governments.
Help Needed: Ideas to Fix Medicaid
TMA's Physicians Medicaid Congress is working to improve Medicaid for those who currently rely on the program or may in the future. We need your help and your ideas. What changes would you like made to the program? (Action, Nov. 16, 2012)
Dual-Eligibles Action Center
Until January of this year, the federal government (Medicare) paid 80 percent of a "dual-eligible" patients visit to a doctor. The other 20 percent of the cost was paid by Texas Medicaid. The sate Medicaid program also paid the Medicare deductible for these patients. This year the Medicare deductible is $140. Under the new guidelines, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2012, Texas Medicaid no longer pays the physician the patient's 20-percent coinsurance. Nor does Medicaid pay the full $140 annual deductible if Medicare's payment for a service exceeds Medicaid's allowable. Follow updates on the Dual-Eligibles Resource page.
- Medicaid/CHIP Funding
- Medicaid Perception vs. Reality -- As state lawmakers look to balance the budget with steep cuts to the program, TMA debunks seven persistent myths about Texas Medicaid. Use this flyer to educate your friends, colleagues, patients (and legislators).
Legislative Testimonies and Letters to Lawmakers
2012 Legislative Testimonies and Letters
2011 Legislative Testimonies and Letters
- TMA Testimony on HB 13 Interstate Compact (June 3, 2011)
- TMA Testimony on HB 7: Special Session Health Care Omnibus Bill (June 3, 2011)
- TMA Testimony on SB 7: Special Session Health Care Omnibus Bill (June 2, 2011)
- TMA Letter: Concerns on HB 13 (May 19, 2011)
- TMA Testimony on SB 7: Medicaid Cost-Containment (May 11, 2011)
- Desperate Times: Budget Crisis Drives Medicaid Reform Effort - Texas Medicine (May 2011)
- TMA Letter to Senator Deuell on SB 1854 (May 2, 2011)
- TMA's Testimony on the Women's Health Program (April 28, 2011)
- TMA Comments: HB 13 Medicaid Bulk Grant (April 13, 2011)
- TMA Testimony: SBs 575 and 585 on the Women’s Health Program (April 5, 2011)
- Women's Health Program FAQs (March 25, 2011)
- TMA Letter: Instate Health Care Compact(March 17, 2011)
- TMA Letter to State Leaders on Preserving Physician Medicaid Rates (June 25, 2010)
- TMA Testimony on Cost Containment Strategies (June 2010)
- TMA Testimony on Improving Medicaid, ERS, and TRS (May 2010)
- TMA Opposes Medicaid, CHIP Cuts (Feb. 24, 2010)
Medicaid Managed Care
Women's Health
Related Links