The bill will now make its way to the U.S. Senate, and if approved will head to the president’s desk to be signed into law. 

 Locally, feelings on this issue are mixed, but the potential effect on one of the poorest county’s in the State of Texas could ultimately be catastrophic as the insensitive legislation could hurt so many. 

Maverick County Hospital District CEO Terri Patlan Contreras is keeping a close eye on the legislation because of the potential harm that it would do to the community, including possibly placing increased burden on the MCHD. 

The MCHD has assisted many people in applying for the ACA . If changes such as doing away with preexisting conditions were to be approved, many of those clients could potentially end up without health coverage and eventually return back to the MCHD seeking Indigent Care Services. 

“Ever since the ACA was set into place we were able to get our patients to enroll, and close to 800 qualified, meaning that our indigent program patient count decreased from close to 1,200 county indigent clients to 390,” said Contreras. “Our legislators told the hospitals that they would be trying to expand Medicaid which they didn’t. Not here in Texas. And right now that’s what they’re using again, saying, ‘We’re going to repeal it, don’t worry we’re going to replace it,’ but I will believe it when I see it.” 

Contreras stated that the uneasiness of what’s happening is also affecting the MCHD and recent negotiations with the Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center to decrease payment on a contract for services.

 “We were in the process of negotiating with them because of the decrease in indigent patients the amount that we pay annually. Now that negotiation is off the table,” said Contreras. “At this point we can’t negotiate a decrease.” 

Contreras is looking to assure that individuals with the need for life saving care aren’t left without coverage.

 “Hopefully they’re able to negotiate it and come to an amicable agreement and actually stick to their promises,” said Contreras.