At Children’s Defense Fund-Texas, we’re focused on the future of health care in our state. Unfortunately, the latest rumblings coming from Capitol Hill give us great concern for what may lie ahead for thousands of children who live in North Texas.
This month, Congress released its budget resolution calling for members to find $880 billion worth of savings in the federal budget.
There is reason to believe some of that money could come from Medicaid. Several Texas lawmakers have already voiced interest in possibly cutting this vital program.
Sen. John Cornyn told Politico that Congress ought to look at Medicaid spending as an area in the federal budget for possible “reform.” Two of our congressmen, Reps. Chip Roy, R-Austin, and Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, who serves as House Budget Committee chair, also expressed interest in slashing the program.
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The impact Medicaid makes on North Texas and the rest of the state is hard to exaggerate. Last month, the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families revealed in a new report that 1 in every 3 children who live in a small town or rural community in Texas rely on Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program for health coverage. That amount is equal to roughly 239,000 children. Again, that’s just in Texas’ small towns.
For years, we have asked Texas leaders to expand Medicaid so more young families can thrive. Now, we call on them to simply do the bare minimum and protect an important program that affects so many young lives.
The fact is any cut made to Medicaid could devastate North Texas families. The Texas State Comptroller says a significant portion of the income small hospitals use for their operations comes from federal programs, such as Medicaid.
If Medicaid loses funding, some providers, including pediatricians and family doctors, may have to deny coverage to young people who desperately need it. Additionally, some small hospitals that are already struggling to stay open and need Medicaid to support their budgets could close.
The comptroller’s report showed Texas lost 24 small hospitals between 2005 and 2022, more than any other state. In a study published last month, the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform noted 80 rural hospitals in Texas are currently at risk of closure. That’s half of our state’s small hospitals.
Many Texans already face unique challenges to getting health care. Provider shortages, tied to Medicaid funding, often mean families who live farther away from Dallas must travel longer to receive quality preventative and maternity care. Sometimes, due to costs and job insecurity, these families forgo care altogether, jeopardizing the opportunity for their children to live healthy lives.
Our lawmakers must look at Medicaid as an investment in Texas’ future. Remember, children who are unhealthy miss school and opportunities to learn, socialize and grow into productive members of society. Such cuts could also create financial instability that forces some young families in North Texas to make hard choices, like whether to put food on their table or seek medical care. Think of how the economic mobility of these families may be forever impacted by their inability to access quality health care.
The values we hold as Texans do not shift when administrations change. What’s been true in the past remains true now: Our young people are the future, and they deserve our support. Our leaders must reject any federal cuts to Medicaid funding.
Brandy Taylor Dédé is state director for Children’s Defense Fund-Texas and Barbara Moore is CDF-Texas policy and advocacy manager.
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