In the just released Texas First health plan, Lt. Governor candidate Leticia Van de Putte made it official, calling for a ‘Texas solution’ to expand Medicaid in the Lone Star State. Here’s more from the campaign via press release…
San Antonio, TX —Senator Leticia Van de Putte, a pharmacist of over 30 years, was joined by colleagues as she released her Texas First Health Care plan. Leticia’s Texas First plans focus on building a smart economy, strong communities, and secure families.
At Davila Pharmacy in San Antonio, where she works when not on the Senate floor in the Texas Capitol, Leticia called for a Texas solution to our health care challenges. Leticia’s plan increases access to care for Texas women, closes the coverage gap, protects Texas businesses from tax penalties, and promotes economic growth by drawing down billions in federal funds, putting Texas taxpayers dollars back to work for Texans.
Senator Leticia Van de Putte released the following statement:
“All hardworking Texans deserve health care, not just those that can afford it. For over thirty years, I have been listening to Texans across the prescription counter. I know the successes and the tragic shortcomings of the health care system in our state.
“As Lieutenant Governor, I’ll forge a Texas solution to draw down federal funds back to Texas taxpayers, protect Texas businesses, and expand access to affordable health care in our state. One out of every four Texans lacks health insurance, that system is unsustainable, bad for business, and bad for Texas families.”
Texans are losing big time by refusing to take the ACA Medicaid expansion money. Not only are we forcing hospitals to shoulder the burden of seeing millions of people who don’t have insurance through the Emergency Room, but simultaneously we are paying for better healthcare in other states. With her release today, Senator Van de Putte ends any and all speculation of where her campaign stands on healthcare issues. If elected, she is sure to support healthcare expansion during the next legislative session.
Contrast this plan with that of her Republican opponent Dan Patrick, who remains staunchly opposed to any form of increased access to healthcare in the state.
The choice in this election is sure to affect the lives of millions of Texans. Reading this, you may know someone (or be someone) living in fear of getting sick because you can’t afford to go to the doctor. But this fall, Texans can choose not to be trapped in a constant cycle of fear from their health. Gone are the days when Republicans could just demonize the Affordable Care Act and coast to reelection. The law may be imperfect, but no one can deny that it has made a positive impact on the national healthcare system, especially in those states that haven’t fought ACA implementation to the core. This November, it’s time to bring some new leadership to Texas and put the state’s people first.