Rick Perry negotiates to accept some Obamacare funding for seniors, disabled

(The Texas governor), an ardent opponent of the Affordable Care Act, is in talks with Obama administration officials to accept an estimated $100 million in care for the elderly and disabled through Obamacare, Politico reported Tuesday night.

Texas health officials are seeking to enroll in the so-called Community First Choice program available via the law's Medicaid expansion. Perry officially declined to enroll his state in the program, saying in April that expanding the program for the poor would make Texas “hostage” to the federal government.

From the Politico piece...

Perry health aides are negotiating with the Obama administration on the terms of an optional Obamacare program that would allow Texas to claim stepped-up Medicaid funding for the care of people with disabilities.

The so-called Community First Choice program aims to enhance the quality of services available to the disabled and elderly in their homes or communities. Similar approaches have had bipartisan support around the country. About 12,000 Texans are expected to benefit in the first year of the program.

"It's not Obamacare money! We are NOT hypocrites!"

“This is not entirely accurate,” (Perry spokesperson Josh) Havens said by email. “This has nothing to do with Obamacare. The state of Texas has been providing these types of services via Medicaid waiver for decades, and we are continuing to provide this service.”

My embarrassment in being represented by people so ridiculous is overcome by my desire to see the least among us assisted, no matter what pretzels of rationalization the governor has to twist himself into.

Just get it done, you morons.

Update: Snarkier from Egberto.

Cindy Hughes Zerwas 1955-2013

Cindy Zerwas, wife of state Rep. John Zerwas, of Simonton, died Tuesday of brain cancer.

"My wife Cindy passed away at home this morning, following a courageous fight against brain cancer," the Republican lawmaker from Fort Bend County said in a statement. "Cindy was surrounded by myself and our children and grandchildren at the time of her passing.

"My family and I would like to express our deep appreciation for the continued thoughts and prayers of our friends within the community, throughout Texas, and beyond."

A memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Colony Church of Christ, 2140 First Colony Boulevard in Sugar Land.

John Zerwas is one of the very few Republicans in the state legislature who understands the need to expand Medicaid to the poorest and least-insured in Texas. I met with his staffers in the spring and they made it obvious that they knew something needed to be done, but that the extremists in their party weren't going to allow it to happen.

Try to imagine losing a loved one to cancer AND being saddled with hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debt that will never be paid off in your lifetime. (It's no better being bankrupted by co-pays and deductibles when you have insurance, either.)

I'm glad that Zerwas has empathy for those Texans of lesser means going through similar circumstances to what he has endured, and I hope others with less empathy can be persuaded by his valiant example.

Peace and strength to the Zerwas family at this time of loss.