STATEMENT ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF MEDICAID AS KEN PAXTON BACKS THE LARGEST CUT TO HEALTHCARE IN TEXAS HISTORY

The following information was released by the Texas Democratic Party:

Paxton has repeatedly praised OBBBA, which slashes $1 trillion from Medicaid to fund lavish tax breaks for billionaires as Texans struggle to afford basic healthcare

AUSTIN, TX Today, 61 years ago, Medicare and Medicaid were created, helping provide access to affordable healthcare for nearly 9 million Texas seniors and families. Now, the crucial programs face an unprecedented attack as Corrupt Ken Paxton backs nearly 1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid the largest cut to healthcare in American history to fund lavish tax breaks for his wealthy donors.

Texas Democratic Party Spokesperson Ryan Martin said:

"For over 60 years, Medicare and Medicaid have been a lifeline for millions of Texans, and Ken Paxton wants to rip that away. Already we are seeing rural hospitals in Texas closing, monthly premiums for seniors doubling or tripling, and thousands losing their health insurance entirely because Paxton wanted Texan taxpayers to bankroll handouts for his billionaire donors. Texans can't afford to let Paxton continue jacking up their healthcare costs in the U.S. Senate, and will be holding him and his fellow Republicans accountable for the healthcare crisis they created in November."

Ken Paxton has repeatedly cheered the One Big Ugly Bill as "incredible," saying he will continue this work if elected to the Senate, even as we see the impacts unfold in Texas with higher healthcare costs, rural hospitals closing, and more than a million Texans projected to lose their health insurance.

See for yourself the impacts of the devastating healthcare cuts Paxton supported:

1.7 million Texans are estimated to lose their health insurance because of Paxton-supported cuts in OBBBA and elimination of the ACA enhanced premium tax credits that families relied on to afford healthcare.

Already, more than 193,000 Texans have lost Medicaid coverage since OBBBA was enacted.

Texas' state Medicaid fund is estimated to be reduced by nearly $32.4 billion by 2034 under the OBBBA, meaning Texans will go uninsured and Texas hospitals that are already on shoestring budgets will be forced to absorb the costs.

Texans' average healthcare premiums are projected to spike 115% for those who relied on the ACA enhanced premium tax credits.

KKF estimated the average monthly premium increase for a 60-year-old on a benchmark silver plan in Texas would increase by 216%, or nearly $959 more a month, after the expiration of ACA tax credits.

Already two rural health care facilities in North Texas have closed, and 15 more rural hospitals in Texas are at risk because the Paxton-backed OBBBA slashed their funding.