HOUSTON – They say Gov. Rick Perry is "throwing them under the bus" by refusing to accept billions of federal dollars to expand Texas' Medicaid program under an optional provision of Obamacare. Hundreds of advocates and protestors from around the state are expected to rally at the Capitol this afternoon (Friday), hoping to win a face-to-face meeting with the governor. And they have some tough questions to pose, according to Durrel Douglas of the Texas Organizing Project.

"We want to know: if you're turning away this option, what is your plan? And how do you plan to fill this gaping hole, where there are millions of people who don't have health care? Because throwing two million Texans under the bus is not the way to go."

Expanding Medicaid was supposed to be one of the key ways to cover low-income Americans under the Affordable Care Act. But when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled this spring that states could not be forced into adopting the provision, leaders in some states - including Texas - quickly announced they would reject the new federal assistance, both on principle, and out of fear that they might have to pick up the tab in future years.

Texas has the lowest rate of health insurance coverage in the nation, with almost a quarter of its residents uninsured. Research shows that figure could be cut in half with expanded Medicaid, and that minorities will disproportionately feel the loss in states that don't participate.

Gladys Vasquez, 50, a home-health aide in Houston, will attend the Austin rally. Earning $9 an hour, she says she can't afford insurance or doctor visits.

"I am working 45 or 50 hours a week, and when I get sick, I don't like to see the doctor, because if I don't die from the sickness, I die when I see the bill for the doctor."

She says she'll be losing income from 12 hours of work in order to travel to the Capitol, but feels she is representing many friends and neighbors who also dream of someday having health coverage.

Douglas points out that the feds will pay for the Medicaid expansion for three years, after which states will be responsible for up to ten percent. It's a great deal, he says - and Texas should reconsider it.

"When you have a governor of a state that has the worst health care in the nation, that tells Gladys Vasquez, 'I'm sorry, these options that would expand healthcare for my state: I don't want them, for my political reasons. You're on your own.' That's insensitive, illogical, not fair."

Some states have signaled they will ask the government if they can adopt the expansion plan, but only partially. And some Texas counties are investigating whether they can sign up on their own if the state turns down the program.

Coordinated rallies are planned today in Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas, culminating in the Austin event at the State Capitol. Details are online at organizetexas.org.




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After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


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New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.