Representatives Veasey and Johnson Lead Congressional Letter Supporting Provider Status for Local Health Departments

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30) and Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) led a letter with Texas members of the U.S. House of Representatives to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services urging the establishment of provider type designation for local and regional health departments within the Texas managed care environment. The purpose of the letter is to encourage the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that local and regional health departments receive adequate funding for provided health care services in communities across Texas.

"Health departments across Texas serve a very important role as first responders to community health issues and are often the first line of defense against illness and disease," said Congressman Veasey. "These entities must continue to operate and receive funding to provide care, which is essential to ensuring Texans across the state remain healthy. We must also ensure Texas' local and regional health departments remain able to serve low-income and uninsured individuals as we transition our Medicaid program."

"In Texas, local health departments play a vital role in creating healthy communities through the intervention and prevention of illnesses. Their programs provide countless benefits to our constituents. These local agencies must be funded, plain and simple," said Congresswoman Johnson. "As the first registered nurse elected to Congress, I know the important role played by public health professionals in the community. It is of utmost importance that local and regional health departments are included as stakeholders in the 1115 waiver state transition plan. I am delighted to lead this letter alongside my colleague, Congressman Veasey, in promoting this important issue for the health of fellow Texans."

The letter was also signed by Reps. Al Green (TX-09), Filemon Vela (TX-34), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), Colin Allred (TX-32), and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29).

Download the letter here.