Medicaid was created by Congress in 1965 and came to Texas two years later, a program designed to provide health benefits to specific groups—initially, to recipients of certain cash assistance programs. Since then, eligibility has gradually expanded and caseload growth has made Medicaid the single largest program in the state budget. In 2001, Medicaid consumed 20% of the All Funds (AF) budget but now accounts for nearly 30% of the 2016-17 budget.
Health Care
Transformational Healthcare Reform
Transformational Healthcare Reform Key Points As hospitals and insurance systems have consolidated, patients have faced rising costs and narrower choices, while physicians have lost independence, and control has shifted to a handful of large corporate systems. Price transparency alone is not enough: patients and employers need clear disclosure of actual prices, fees, commissions, conflicts of...
August 21, 2026