Efforts to save new moms clash with GOP’s Medicaid cuts By Renuka Rayasam and Brianna Ehley The push to address the soaring U.S. maternal morality rate is colliding with a broader, more ideological public health imperative: Republican-led efforts to scale back Medicaid. The safety net program pays for half of all births in the nation. […]
El Paso, Texas – January 9, 2019 – Frank J. Dominguez, President and CEO of El Paso Health, the only locally operated non-profit health maintenance organization (HMO), has been appointed Chairman of the Board of the Texas Association of Community Health Plans (TACHP). As 2018 Vice-Chair, Dominguez assisted in directing a membership of 12 Texas-based […]
AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 4, 2018 — Today, officials at FirstCare Health Plans announced the new FirstCare Advantage Dual SNP (HMO SNP) plan, which is back after a brief absence, and available in the Lubbock and Amarillo communities. The plan is designed to meet the special needs of those with Medicare and Medicaid. They must be eligible […]
Local advocates get word out as Obamacare sign-ups set to begin for 2019 Open enrollment for 2019 health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is about to kick off — as is the annual effort by local health care advocates to overcome a fresh crop of challenges that could deter people from signing up. Beginning […]
SCOTT AND WHITE HEALTH PLAN TO ACQUIRE FIRSTCARE HEALTH PLANS DALLAS, TEXAS (Oct. 23, 2018) – Scott and White Health Plan, part of Baylor Scott & White Health, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire FirstCare Health Plans. This acquisition will allow the two provider-owned health plans to come together to create a more comprehensive […]
“Your honor, I’m suing my family today to force them to accept my list of vacation locations. A second lawsuit will hold my church accountable for services exceeding one hour. I anticipate several amicus briefs.” Living by filing lawsuits seems crazy, doesn’t it? As adults we should have reasonable discussions with others to explore choices […]
With a poverty rate of 48.8%, Fabens is the poorest town in Texas and it’s the only town where more than half of households live on less than $25,000 a year. Fabens is home to closely 10,000 men, women and children, of which 80% receive their health coverage through Medicaid. In 2010, one of the […]
As a pediatric anesthesiologist in South Texas, I have logged countless hours in operating rooms caring for babies who have undergone multiples surgeries — some in the moments after birth. These have been some of the most heartbreaking moments of my life. Sadly, many of these surgeries could have been prevented if someone had stepped […]
Legislators need to back Texas Health and Human Services Commission By Ken Janda Have you followed much news coverage of our Texas Health and Human Services Commission ? In the midst of escalating concerns and long-running criticism, some valid and some not, what might surprise you the most is learning the Health and Human Services […]