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Texas Report Links Medicaid Enrollment to Education

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Is an educated person happier, healthier, more productive, and less likely to go on Medicaid than one who is not?  Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education says yes in a recent piece by KUT News.

A report by the Alliance for Excellent Education said cutting the high school drop out rate in half could save the state of Texas millions of dollars-- as a matter of fact $547 million.  Here's how it breaks the savings down:

  • $70,194,553 in heart disease-related Medicaid savings
  • 143,462,985 in obesity-related Medicaid savings
  • $108,543,656 in alcoholism-related Medicaid savings
  • $146,784,162 in smoking-related Medicaid savings

Chuck DaVore, with the Texas Public Policy Foundation, says the Medicaid link is not about education, but about economics.  Does a person without a degree have the same earning potential as one with a degree?  DaVore also says the Medicaid numbers are related to foreign workers, not high school drop outs.
In a related education story, the Amarillo Globe reports a significant number of high school Seniors in the Panhandle have to pass STAAR tests before they can get their diplomas, giving them the option to further their education.