Media

Washington, D.C.—In a surprising new email obtained by Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin), Governor Greg Abbott’s Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) offers only a raffle and “6 Days of Merry Service” to resolve the growing backlog in Medicaid and SNAP applications. Beginning today, an overburdened and demoralized workforce must complete 15 hours of overtime in six days to be entered into a raffle, on top of an already mandated monthly 20 hours of overtime required during the past three years. Today, Rep. Doggett is again urging Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to fulfill federal enforcement responsibilities and require a comprehensive corrective action plan from Texas HHSC, implemented under federal supervision, to ensure timely assistance to Texans in need.

Since October, the Congressman has urged the Federal Aviation Administration to address ongoing issues at Austin’s airport with more air traffic control staff and updated safety equipment.