After Sendero shutdown sparks outcry, commissioners postpone vote
Commissioner
"I think public confidence is predicated on putting it out there and letting them see what we see," Travillion said.
County Judge
Geeslin said he expected the meeting to be called for Friday or Saturday.
"The board of managers has probably spent more time on Sendero than probably any two, three, four issues combined over the past several months," Geeslin said. "And I'm looking forward to the community today, and I feel that I can safely say this on behalf of all board members that not only the communications today, but in the future public meeting that we're going to embrace all that people have to offer because that helps inform the decision."
Geeslin added that the decision wasn't "just a matter of economics" and that board members didn't make the decision without taking into account the people that it would affect.
"There is this element of taking care of members," Geeslin said. "What does their health situation look like? What do you offer them year in year out that they can rely on?"
Geeslin's comments came after community leaders held a news conference outside the Commissioners Court doors asking the court not to approve the budget with the Sendero closure directive.
Ortega and others have said that would increase federal dollars by decreasing the amount that Sendero has to pay back to the federal government under the risk adjustment provision of the Affordable Care Act. The provision requires insurers with healthier members to pay insurers with sicker members as an attempt to level the playing field.
"Why do rich people get to have a choice for their insurance and the working poor are stuck with MAP?" Ortega said.
Earlier:
Sendero Health Plans, created by
Sendero board members still have yet to decide how they'll react to the
Regardless, Sendero will continue to offer coverage to its members through the end of the year, officials have said. If Sendero does not offer a plan in 2019, members will have to choose a new plan during the enrollment period that runs
"This is going to further add chronic stress to those community members who now have to worry about their health care coverage, and they are the most vulnerable who can least absorb this stress," Ortega wrote.
Sendero members and supporters will hold a press conference at
"Sendero members -- especially those in the midst of treating chronic illnesses -- were shocked to learn they would have to scramble to find new insurance," a news release for the conference read. "In many cases, a member's current doctor may not be part of a new health plan choice, forcing the member to find new health providers while trying to maintain treatment."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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