Healthcare for Those of Lesser Means
By
LWV Texas
Posted: 2011-01-01T04:08:00Z
Support for a basic level of health care for the medically indigent, including children of low-income families. Support for expansion of Medicaid payments.
Position In Brief:
HEALTH CARE FOR THOSE OF LESSER MEANS/CHILD HEALTH CARE + 1986, 1995, 2009, 2010
The League of Women Voters of Texas supports a basic level of health care for the medically indigent.
The League believes that all persons whose incomes fall below the federal poverty guidelines are most at risk of medical indigence and should be eligible for basic health care services. Special attention should be given to children of low-income families and to persons of low income who are elderly, pregnant, or mentally ill.
It is the responsibility of individuals to pay for their own health care to the best of their ability. For those unable to pay, health care services and programs for the medically indigent are the responsibility of various levels of government.
The League of Women Voters believes the following services constitute the basic level of health care for the medically indigent:
- maternal and child care
- emergency care
- primary care
- preventive care
- care for the mentally ill
- care for catastrophic illness
- nutrition
- substance abuse treatment
- health education
- long-term care
- care for persons with disabilities.
The League believes that all health care facilities, both public and private, have a responsibility to serve the medically indigent and should be accessible to those in need.
To improve health outcomes in the state of Texas, the League of Women Voters of Texas believes that Medicaid expansion, as permitted under the Affordable Care Act of 2010, should be approved and implemented by the state of Texas.