TEXAS FIRST

SMART ECONOMY. STRONG COMMUNITIES. SECURE FAMILIES.

Putting Texas frst means fnding a Texas solution to affordable health care
that keeps hardworking Texas families healthy and our economy strong.
- Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Leticia understands that health care is a costly and complex system in our state, but
she also realizes that Texas simply cannot thrive when one out of every four Texans has
no health insurance coverage. With the highest rate of uninsured in the country, Texas
hospitals struggle to provide over $4 billion per year in uncompensated care, while
county and local governments spend roughly $2.5 billion in local tax dollars on indigent
care. Leticia knows that we need a Texas solution that better utilizes our resources and
increases access to health care, so that millions of hardworking Texans can have the
opportunity to care for themselves and their families.
Leticia is committed to putting the needs of Texans before politics. Despite vocal support
for Medicaid expansion from hospital districts, dozens of chambers of commerce, city
and county governments, businesses, and thousands of citizens from across the state,
Governor Perry rejected the opportunity to expand Medicaid eligibility. By refusing
HEALTH CARE:
Building a Texas Solution for Healthy Texans
and Strong Texas Businesses
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expansion, Texas will lose approximately $79 billion in federal matching funds over
the next 10 years and leave millions of Texans without health care coverage. Leticia is
determined to bring the brightest minds in the room, from state and federal government,
to build a Texas solution that meets the needs of Texans.
Leticia recognizes that the decision to expand Medicaid and close the coverage gap is
not only the right choice for the millions of Texans without health insurance, but it is also
the right business decision. Covering low income workers through Medicaid expansion
will not only promote a healthier workforce, it will protect businesses from hundreds of
millions of dollars in federal tax penalties each year. Leticia also understands that the
economic growth from Medicaid expansion and the billions of dollars in federal matched
funds could create over 230,000 new jobs here in Texas over just a few years.
As a practicing pharmacist for over thirty years, Leticia has seen the successes and
shortcomings of the health care system frsthand. After decades of experience serving her
community, she knows that access to health care is a right that all hardworking Texans
deserve -- not just those who can afford it.
As Lieutenant Governor, Leticia is committed to putting politics aside and developing a
practical Texas solution that keeps our families healthy and our economy strong.
1
Promote a healthy workforce by securing a Texas Solution to close the coverage gap
Leticia knows that keeping Texans healthy is crucial to keeping Texans working and
able to provide for themselves and their families.
When Texas failed to expand Medicaid eligibility, it created a devastating coverage gap
that left over 1.4 million Texans with no coverage options. While many Texans with
incomes above the poverty line may now qualify for fnancial assistance to purchase
health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, there are no subsidies available for
the lower-income families who need it most. Without health insurance, it is extremely
diffcult for Texans to access preventative care, earlier diagnoses, and effective
treatment which makes them more likely to suffer serious or dangerous complications
from easily treatable or even preventable conditions.
Leticia recognizes the impact of poor health on hardworking Texans. Well-regarded
studies show that poor health conditions limit a persons ability to fnd or maintain
employment. Leticia understands that a healthy and productive workforce is crucial to
a flourishing economy.
Leticia is committed to collaborating with local, state and federal governments
to develop a plan that will incorporate personal responsibility without
sacrifcing care. She will put politics aside and encourage collaboration to
expand Medicaid eligibility through a customized solution designed to meet
the unique needs of our state.
Leticia will ensure that Texas maintains the flexibility to make signifcant
reforms to the states Medicaid program. She knows that reform in Texas
can include cost-sharing provisions found in plans already negotiated by
other conservative states, such as manageable co-pays and premiums
based on income, contributions to health savings accounts, healthy lifestyle
incentives, or using federal funds to buy private insurance.
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AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, LETICIA WILL:
3
Promote economic growth by drawing down billions of dollars in federal funds
As part of the health care reform law, the federal government would fund at least 90 percent
of Medicaid expansion, meaning that for every $1 spent, Texas would receive $9. Leticia
recognizes that when Texas leadership said no to Medicaid expansion, they turned down a
conservatively estimated $79 billion in federal matched funds over the next ten years. After
taking into account the federal taxes paid by Texans, Texas will face a net loss of $9.2 billion
in federal funds by 2022, while our federal tax dollars are still being sent to cover Medicaid
expansion in other states.
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of refusing this federal funding is that Texas
taxpayers are left paying for the cost of treating those without insurance. Without expansion,
hospitals lose billions of dollars each year to provide care to patients without insurance and
are left no choice but to pass those costs on to Texans through increased prices in private
insurance and higher property taxes. County and local governments already spend roughly
$2.5 billion for care for the uninsured, and as hospitals face further cuts in federal funding
for uncompensated care, this amount is almost certain to increase. Leticia understands
that expanding Medicaid would offset increasing local tax burdens and put millions in lost
federal funding back to work for Texas taxpayers.
Leticia also knows that turning down this federal funding means Texans will miss out on a
good business deal. Medicaid expansion would create hundreds of thousands of new jobs
for hardworking Texans, boost Texas economic output by a reported $67 billion from 2014-
2017, and earn the state $1.8 billion in new revenue.
Leticia will fght to ensure Texas receives all available federal funding for Medicaid
expansion, in order to promote substantial economic growth and ensure that
Texans are getting the most out of their federal tax dollars.
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2
Protect Texas businesses from devastating tax penalties that threaten our economy
Leticia believes that keeping Texas business-friendly is vital to the states economic well
being. By failing to expand Medicaid, Texas leadership has put Texas businesses in danger
of tax penalties that could cost employers between $260 million and $399 million per year
starting in 2015. Texas employers could face tax penalties for many employees that would
have been covered by Medicaid.
Leticia will protect Texas employers from unnecessary tax penalties by
implementing a Texas solution to expand Medicaid eligibility so that employers
can maintain a healthy workforce, as well as a competitive business.
4
Promote healthy families by increasing access to lifesaving care for Texas women
Leticia has consistently fought for Texas women to have access to the health care they
need and rightfully deserve. She has long advocated for ensuring that the Womens
Health program, which provides family planning services, cancer screenings, pap
smears, mammograms, and many other services, is available to low-income Texas
women who otherwise are without access to care. However, in 2011 Republicans,
including Dan Patrick, chose instead to drastically cut the budget for this lifesaving
program by 66 percent, from $111.5 million in 2011 to only $37.9 million in 2012. As
a result, at least 53 womens community health centers shut down, and 38 have
drastically cut their hours. These drastic cuts left over 180,000 low-income Texas
women without access to crucial preventative care.
Last year, Leticia worked with her colleagues to restore some funding to the Womens
Health Program and increase funding for primary care and family planning. However,
Leticia knows there is still much work to be done. Many rural and low-income areas
have lost their most trusted providers, and studies show that other providers do not
serve these areas with the same success. Leticia knows that fghting for womens
health is an important step in fghting for Texas families, and she will continue to make
Texas women a priority.
Leticia will fght for Texas women to regain access to trusted health providers
that were lost under the so-called affliate ban.
Leticia will require collaboration between health providers and the Health and
Human Services Commission to locate and correct any gaps in accessibility
and to establish long term solutions for womens health care in underserved
communities.
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Pol. ad. paid for by the Leticia Van de Putte for Lt.
Governor Campaign. Joe J. Bernal, Treasurer.
Printed in-house using volunteer labor