Texas

Local impact by the numbers

Census data shows 5,517 Kerr County residents earn less than $25,000 annually, making them particularly vulnerable to administrative hurdles. The county’s estimated 3,800 working-age Medicaid recipients include many who struggle with low wages and irregular schedules, though the county’s substantial retiree population of 10,613 Medicare recipients would largely be protected from the new requirements.

Research from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows hospital uncompensated care costs in Medicaid expansion states totaled 2.7% of operating expenses in fiscal 2020, compared to 7.3% in non-expansion states like Texas.

Peterson Health, which serves Kerr County and surrounding rural areas including Bandera, Kimble and Real counties, could face an estimated $3.3 million annually in additional uncompensated care costs, based on the average $3,500 in unpaid medical bills per uninsured person. The health system’s service area has a combined population of more than 80,000 people, with rural residents typically having fewer healthcare alternatives when they lose insurance coverage.