Blue Owl Brewing
More on Medicaid
RECEIVED Sat., April 13, 2024
To the Editor:
I was deeply saddened to read that Texas HHSC is stripping children of their medical care (“Texas Has Kicked 1.3M Kids Off Medicaid, Most Often for Incomplete Applications,” News, April 12). Readers should know that Texas did not verify the eligibility of those removed for procedural reasons, and legislators have the power to address this issue.
Texas chose this nonsensical and ineffective method of Medicaid renewal, and the process is not working. Most children removed from the program are eligible and are falling through the cracks. Despite knowing the consequences, the state failed to fund this unwinding process appropriately.
There is another critical element that the article failed to mention: the extensive delays in the Texas Medicaid enrollment process. As of March, Texas averaged 79 days, much longer than the federal timeline of 45 days. This delay in processing, combined with mistaken removal, means that children owed coverage are not receiving it and will not be for over two months in most cases.
It is time for the legislature to take responsibility and act quickly. They need to take a long, hard look at the Medicaid program in the state and change the renewal process to guarantee children receive the care they need.
The state had other options beyond asking people to wait for care and resources. Now we cannot wait any longer. Texas children should not suffer because of the mistakes of their government.
I was deeply saddened to read that Texas HHSC is stripping children of their medical care (“Texas Has Kicked 1.3M Kids Off Medicaid, Most Often for Incomplete Applications,” News, April 12). Readers should know that Texas did not verify the eligibility of those removed for procedural reasons, and legislators have the power to address this issue.
Texas chose this nonsensical and ineffective method of Medicaid renewal, and the process is not working. Most children removed from the program are eligible and are falling through the cracks. Despite knowing the consequences, the state failed to fund this unwinding process appropriately.
There is another critical element that the article failed to mention: the extensive delays in the Texas Medicaid enrollment process. As of March, Texas averaged 79 days, much longer than the federal timeline of 45 days. This delay in processing, combined with mistaken removal, means that children owed coverage are not receiving it and will not be for over two months in most cases.
It is time for the legislature to take responsibility and act quickly. They need to take a long, hard look at the Medicaid program in the state and change the renewal process to guarantee children receive the care they need.
The state had other options beyond asking people to wait for care and resources. Now we cannot wait any longer. Texas children should not suffer because of the mistakes of their government.
Shanelle Quinn
