While most of the attention given to last week's ACA decision focused on the individual mandate the decision on the expansion of Medicaid was just as important - if not more so. The federal government's ability to mandate state policies by threatening to remove federal funding has been curtails. This was a tool used to expand national power during the New Deal and ever since. Now it seem to have been considerably weakened.
We just spent a little time looking at federalism and how it impacts the states, and Texas specifically. Things appear to have changed. I want you to outline this change and speculate in what this means for the relationship between the states and the national government. How does this impact Texas?
Here some readings:
- After Supreme Court ruling, Medicaid expansion faces uncertainty.
- A guide to the Supreme Court's Review of the ACA.
- Uncertain future for Medicaid expansion.
- If Texas Doesn't Expand Medicaid....
- After Health Care Ruling, TX Has Big Decisions to Make.
- With Health Reform Cnstitutional, What Happens in TX?
