CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — On Friday, October 11, Travis County Court District Judge Laurie Iserrow announced that the Texas Department of Health and Human Services will enter into an agreement affecting Texans who receive Medicaid, STAR, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). prevented him from doing so.
The court issued a temporary order preventing the Texas Health and Human Services Commission from entering into managed care contracts. This deal will negatively impact health care for more than 1 million children and families in Texas.
The parties suing against this preliminary injunction are Cook Children’s Health Plan, Texas’s Children’s Health Plan, Superior Health Plan INC, and Wellpoint Insurance Company.
Driscoll Health Plan CEO Craig Smith said the work of these four health care providers has helped the entire state.
If these contracts are not blocked, beneficiaries would have to enroll in new plans by next year.
For more than 20 years, Driscoll Health Plan has provided health care to many families throughout the Coastal Bend. Barbara Garza’s family is one of about 200,000 families in South Texas benefiting from Driscoll.
“Driscoll Health Plan has been great for us,” Garza said.
Her 4-year-old daughter, Jasmine Garza, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which affects her ability to control her muscles.
As KRIS 6 News previously reported in March, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced its intent to exclude DHPs from serving the Medicaid population starting in September 2025.
“My first thought was, what are we going to do about the appointments, how are we going to pay for them, are there still aquatic therapy and horseback riding for her, and you know all the little extra services that Driscoll can help with?” We need a total,” Garza said.
But Smith said there is good news so far.
“The judge ruled that the state was unable to move forward due to numerous code violations and regulatory violations that impeded the state’s ability to enter into the contract as intended.”
The court found 13 violations in the procurement process. Click here to view all violations.
“This created a truly unfair process, but in the words of the court, the health and well-being of the beneficiaries was truly threatened by the truly unprecedented disruption,” he added.
Garza said all three of her daughters are on DHP and the thought of having to change providers is scary. She added that Driscoll was always by her side.
“She (Jasmine) is doing very well. She weighs about 37 pounds now and is walking with the help of a Driscoll therapist. She does OT speech and PT and even feeding therapy,” she said. said.
So what does this mean for families currently using DHP?
“This means the Driscoll Health Plan will remain unchanged and continue to operate as before, and for now the judge has issued an injunction against the state until next November when Trail’s merits will be heard. ,” Smith said.