AUSTIN – Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation published the paper No Expansion Necessary: How Texas Can Lead the Way on Medicaid Alternatives.

“Texas is often criticized for choosing to not expand Medicaid but the decision is based, in part, on higher-than-expected costs and research showing that overall health outcomes have not improved for expansion populations,” said Elizabeth O’Connor, legislative fellow with the Texas Public Policy Foundation. “Instead of expanding an ineffective, bureaucratic program, Texas policymakers should look to state-based initiatives targeting access to health care. Solutions such as the use of Federally Qualified Health Centers and improving telemedicine options can increase access and affordability in health care for lower-income Texans.”

Key Points:

  • There has been an increase in fraudulent enrollment in Medicaid expansion states.
  • There have been no positive health outcomes that suggest that the costs associated with expansion are necessary.
  • The use of alternatives to Medicaid, such as Federally Qualified Health Centers, can be more cost-efficient way to serve at-risk and lower-income patients.

To read the paper in full, please visit:

https://www.texaspolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/OConnor-Medicaid-Alternatives.pdf