During a recent meeting of county commissioners, Judge Jenkins addressed the pressing issue of Medicaid expansion in Texas, expressing regret that the state remains one of the last holdouts in the nation. He highlighted that Texas, along with nine other southern states, has been sending billions of dollars back to the federal government while failing to provide adequate healthcare for its residents. This situation has led to Texas leading the nation in Medicaid disenrollment, exacerbating a public health crisis.

Judge Jenkins commended the county commissioners for their innovative approaches to healthcare amidst these challenges, emphasizing the need for compassion from state leadership. He pointed out that the low reimbursement rates for Medicaid services discourage many doctors from accepting Medicaid patients, creating significant barriers to care. The complexities of managing Medicaid patients, including the assignment of providers and logistical issues, have further complicated access to necessary medical services.

While acknowledging the joyous occasion of recognizing the commissioners' efforts, Jenkins underscored the urgency of addressing these systemic issues within the Medicaid program, calling for a more compassionate and effective healthcare strategy in Texas.