Tag Archives: Rick Perry

The Arkansas way

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The state of Arkansas will move forward with a plan to expand Medicaid, except that it’s not really Medicaid even though it will cover all of the Medicaid-eligible population. Here’s the explanation. Gov. Mike Beebe met with about twenty lawmakers … Continue reading →

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Battlegound Texas officially launches

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

You have probably heard by now that Battleground Texas has officially launched. Spearheaded by organizers of Obama’s re-election campaign in 2012 — when Republican nominee Mitt Romney handily carried the Lone Star State — a new push, called “Battleground Texas,” … Continue reading →

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Yes, Ed Emmett supports Medicaid expansion

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

As I’m sure you’re aware, I’ve been banging the drum pretty much nonstop for Medicaid expansion. I see it not only as a state issue but a county issue as well, which is why I’ve made a big deal about … Continue reading →

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Medicaid expansion pressure is having an effect

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Despite the mountains of evidence in its favor, I still can’t say that I see a path to Medicaid expansion in Texas. But stories like this do give me some hope. Adamantly opposed to expanding Medicaid coverage under President Barack … Continue reading →

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Marriage equality bill filed

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

As I said before, some things you do because they’re the right thing to do. State Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, filed a bill Thursday to permit same-sex couples to marry, calling it a “Valentine’s Day gift to all Texans.” … Continue reading →

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LBB calls for expanding Medicaid

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From the Quorum Report: LBB CALLS FOR FUNDING MEDICAID EXPANSION AS PART OF ITS ADDITIONAL BUDGET PRIORITIES The recommendation given to the Article II Senate Finance workgroup notes that $50.4 million in state funding would draw down $4 billion in … Continue reading →

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Working the county Medicaid expansion angle

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

As statewide Medicaid expansion is being pushed in Austin, some activists are going to various County Commissioners Courts to push for the county option to expand Medicaid as well. “A broad spectrum of people across business, faith and health care … Continue reading →

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Supplement this!

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Time for the Lege to pay a few past-due bills from 2011. That’s where a supplemental budget comes in. It is literally a second budget added to the original one lawmakers approved in 2011. It’s not an unusual course for … Continue reading →

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TMA sort of endorses Medicaid expansion

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Hard to say what this means. Trustees of the Texas Medical Association passed a resolution urging state leaders to snare all federal Medicaid matching dollars that are on the table. The group hinged its support, though, on simultaneous actions by … Continue reading →

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How about a local safe passing law?

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Man, I’d forgotten about this. After Gov. Rick Perry’s veto in 2009 blocked a statewide law requiring drivers to keep a minimum distance from cyclists on the road, 13 cities approved a model safe-passing law developed by cycling advocates. Dallas … Continue reading →

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Smaller WHP provider list back up

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe they got it right this time. A revised list of Texas Women’s Health Program providers — with 965 fewer doctors and clinics — has returned to the state’s website. […] The HHSC had previously stated that the Texas WHP … Continue reading →

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PPP polls Texas

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this. Texas voters- even Republicans- have had enough of Rick Perry. PPP’s newest poll finds that only 31% of voters think Perry should seek reelection next year, compared to 62% who think it’s … Continue reading →

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Until there’s something to talk about we’ll talk about the talk

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I have two things to say about this. Attorney General Greg Abbott doesn’t want to talk about whether he is running for governor, but he is in overdrive on all the issues that make him a leading contender for the … Continue reading →

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Yet another report saying we should expand Medicaid in Texas

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

It’s the fiscally responsible thing to do, in addition to being the morally correct thing to do. Expanding Medicaid is a “smart, affordable and fair” decision for Texas, according to a report issued by Billy Hamilton, a non-partisan consultant commissioned … Continue reading →

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Is there a way forward on expanding Medicaid in Texas?

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a little hard to know what to make of this. The Affordable Care Act is the federal law that Texas Republicans love to hate, but one top lawmaker says expanding health care for the working poor could happen if … Continue reading →

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Another reason why spending caps are a bad idea

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

There are many reasons why, but this is one we haven’t encountered before. Several political observers well-versed in the state’s finances say that lawmakers could hit the state’s spending limit this session, complicating efforts to access the $11.8 billion in … Continue reading →

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The state begins preparing its excuses for its WHP screwup

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The fail is strong in this one. State health officials continue to insist that they have signed up more than enough providers to replace Planned Parenthood across most of Texas. Areas of limited coverage — including San Angelo, Corsicana and … Continue reading →

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When, Wendy?

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

When will Sen. Wendy Davis run for statewide office? Fortified by a convincing re-election victory, state Sen. Wendy Davis is resuming her role as a fierce critic of Republican-led education cuts as she enters her third regular session of the … Continue reading →

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One place where a little austerity would do some good

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Rick Perry’s slush funds get no love in the opening budgets. The House and Senate’s initial two-year budgets would force Perry’s deal-closing Texas Enterprise Fund to exhaust its last $7 million and throttle back on state film incentives and subsidies … Continue reading →

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Where are the doctors?

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Morning News tries to verify that the Dallas-area providers listed for the new Texas Women’s Health Program are in fact providing health care services to the women in this program as advertised. It goes about as well as you’d … Continue reading →

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Abbott’s millions

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

If there’s one thing Attorney General Greg Abbott is good at, it’s accumulating money. Fueling growing speculation of a bid for the Texas Governor’s Mansion, Attorney General Greg Abbott reported Tuesday he has amassed a campaign war chest of $18 … Continue reading →

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Like it or not, Obamacare is coming to Texas

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Better Texas blog reminds us that as the Affordable Care Act fully kicks in next year there are things that need to be done in Texas to be compliant [W]hat I hope to see are bills that prepare Texas … Continue reading →

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Expanding Medicaid is about more than money

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a matter of life and death If Texas doesn’t expand Medicaid, it will reject more than $100 billion in federal money the first decade, according to the state’s own figures. To get that sizeable federal reimbursement, the state would … Continue reading →

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Abbott reportedly tells the money people he’s running for Governor

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

One would think that if Greg Abbott were to tell anybody what his 2014 plans are, it would be the money people. A source who has spoken with Republican donors says Attorney General Greg Abbott is saying he’ll run for … Continue reading →

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Day One of the Lege

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

What do we know so far? Same old Rick Perry. Gov. Rick Perry called for tax relief and a lean approach to budgeting as he addressed the Senate, even as the state faces a lawsuit from school districts over funding … Continue reading →

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Fix what’s broken first

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

What Texas Watch says. Imagine this scenario. Texans are facing a physician shortage. Under-served rural and poor communities struggle to attract doctors to serve their needs. Politicians scramble to find a solution to the crisis. That is where we were 10 … Continue reading →

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Substitute WHP has problems: Film at 11

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

No one could have seen this coming. State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, has been worried about the Women’s Health Program since the state said it would create its own version of the program. That came after the state moved to … Continue reading →

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When is a surplus not a surplus?

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

When any extra money you might have is already accounted for, due to unaddressed needs, accounting shenanigans, and shortsighted cuts. Some lawmakers and budget experts expect to have as much as $8 billion to $9 billion more in general revenue … Continue reading →

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State fails to get injunction against terminating Womens Health Program funds

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, last year the Lege passed a law that forbade Planned Parenthood from participating in the Women’s Health Program on the grounds that PP does abortions even though none of the PP clinics that participate in the Women’s … Continue reading →

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Dude, I’m serious!

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

House Speaker Joe Straus is ready to have a “serious” legislative session. You know, totally unlike the last one. Despite organized efforts to unseat him, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus said Wednesday he is confident his colleagues will re-elect him … Continue reading →

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Perry’s abortion obsession

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I suppose the only surprise to this is that it’s taken him this long. Proclaiming his ultimate goal to eliminate abortion at any stage, Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday said he would back legislation to ban abortion in Texas after … Continue reading →

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Planned Parenthood files another lawsuit

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Keeping the heat on the state. As a tumultuous year in women’s health draws to a close, Planned Parenthood is turning up the heat on Texas, today filing a new lawsuit that challenge the state’s move to ban the nonprofit … Continue reading →

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What can you get for $10,000?

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

You can now get a college degree – at some colleges, in some programs, if you’re lucky. Many were skeptical when Gov. Rick Perry last year challenged Texas public colleges and universities to offer degrees costing no more than $10,000. … Continue reading →

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All or nothing on Medicaid expansion

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Partial Medicaid expansion, in whatever the form, will not be an option. “Consistent with the law, there is not an option for enhanced match for a partial or phased in Medicaid expansion,” acting Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator … Continue reading →

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