A4 | Thursday, May20, 2021 | ExpressNews.com |San Antonio Express-News METRO Trump looms in likely Bush-Paxton primary By Patrick Svitek Paxton’s re- er level” when he came out deputies that he abused his for comment on whether the Paxton could at least TEXAS TRIBUNE election bid. in support of Trump in the office to help a wealthy do- former president would take count on the support of the Bush has summer of 2016 and urged nor. Paxton has denied sides in a Bush-Paxton pri- Republican Attorneys Gener- Land Commissioner insisted there Texas Republicans to unify wrongdoing in both cases. mary. Donald Trump Jr. is al Association, which he pre- George P. Bushis sending is “no separa- behind the nominee. Mah- Bush has invited support- personally close with Pax- viously chaired. RAGA strong signals that he’s pre- tion” be- roum suggested it took Pax- ers to “campaign kick-off ral- ton, though he currently has spokesman Johnny Koreme- paring to launch a primary tween him ton longer to “come out vo- ly” June 2 in Austin. An invi- no plans to get involved in a nos noted in a statement for challenge against Attorney Bush and Paxton cally” for Trump back then. tation obtained by The Texas potential primary battle, ac- this story that the group “has General Ken Paxton, hoping when it Paxton’s campaign did not Tribune does not specify the cording to a source familiar along history of supporting it can center on Paxton’s le- comes to supporting Trump. respond to a request for com- office that Bush is running with his thinking. incumbent Republican AGs.” gal troubles and how he has But even some of Bush’s sup- ment for this story. But it has for but bills him as the “next It remains to be seen how Notably, Bush stayed out run his office. porters concede that, fair or not entirely ignored Bush, generation of conservative much support Paxton would of the fray after Trump lost But can Bush keep former not, Bush would have to con- dinging him last month as a leadership.” have even from fellow top re-election and spent weeks President Donald Trump out tend with running with a last “potential opponent more Bush and Paxton were Texas Republicans in a com- falsely claiming the election of it — both figuratively and name that still evokes strong interested with the narrative both beneficiaries of Trump petitive primary. He caused a was stolen — claims that literally? emotions among Trump being set by the liberal media endorsements when they stir earlier this month after coincided with Paxton’s law- It is one of the most glar- backers. than on the real and impor- ran for reelection in 2018, The New York Times pub- suit in December challenging ing questions as the founda- “It’s very unfortunate to tant issues facing Texas fami- and Bush promoted Trump’s lished a storyin which he Trump’s defeat in Georgia, tion is laid for what could be him because George P. Bush lies and small businesses.” endorsement heavily as he said he did not think Gov. Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas’ marquee statewide is his own man,” said Eric That came after Bush said fended off three primary Greg Abbott supported him Wisconsin. Once Joe Biden primary next year. Both men Mahroum, Trump’s deputy he is “seriously considering” challengers. Bush also had for re-election, so he did not was sworn in, though, Bush have been Trump support- state director during the 2016 challenging Paxton, saying the support of Trump’s son, support him. Paxton quickly swiftly issued a statement ers, but Bush has a unique campaign in Texas — and an that “the top law enforce- Donald Trump Jr., who was said he did indeed back Ab- congratulating him and vow- history with the former pres- early supporter of Bush chal- ment official in Texas needs set to headline a fundraiser bottfor another term, but ing to be part of the “loyal op- ident as the most prominent lenging Paxton. “I try to edu- to be above reproach.” Pax- for Bush’s reelection cam- the damage was done. position.” member of the Bush political cate the base … that no, he ton has been indicted on paign but called it offamid “Unlike Ken, I actually dynasty to embrace Trump. was so supportive and state securities fraud charges persistent criticism of the support Gov. Abbott and I The Texas Tribune is a And in recent months, Pax- helped us. He was willing to for most of the time since he Trump presidency from think that he has done a heck nonprofit, nonpartisan ton has grown only more do whatever to get us across took office in 2015, and more Bush’s dad, former Florida of a lot more for the state of media organization that overt in his affiliation with the finish line in 2016.” recently, he reportedlycame Gov. Jeb Bush. Texas than Ken ever will,” informs Texans about public the former president, mak- Mahroum said his respect under FBI investigation over ATrump spokesperson Bush said in a radio interview policy, politics, government ing him an inevitable topic in for Bush “just went to anoth- allegations from former top did not respond to a request Wednesday. and statewide issues. Texas pushes for reinstatement of uninsured waiver By Karen Brooks ment by the commission. mental health services. tension, alleging that Presi- virtually or in person. The lion children. The rest of the Harper Last month, federal The extension granted in dent Joe Biden was using it state will also invite virtual recipients are people with TEXAS TRIBUNE health officials rescinded the final days of Trump’s ad- as a political weapon to public testimony during a disabilities, pregnant wom- the Trump-era extension to ministration would have push Texas toward expand- medical advisory commit- en and parents living below Texas will ask U.S. health the 1115 waiver agreement — continued hospital reim- ing its Medic- tee hearing June 10. 14 percent of the federal officials to extend for the which Texas has had with bursements until Septem- aid program Texas, which has the na- poverty level. next 10 years a federal the U.S. Centers for Medi- ber 2030 but allowed the in- to include tion’s highest rate of resi- Adults with no disabili- health care funding agree- care and Medicaid Services novation fund to expire. more work- dents without health insur- ties or dependent children ment, worth billions of dol- since 2011 and is up for re- The1115 waiver was meant ing adults. ance, is one of only 12 states don’t qualify for Medicaid, lars annually and set to ex- view every few years — and to be temporary while Tex- Propo- that have refused to expand and the vast majority of chil- pire next year, that the state ordered Texas to collect as transitioned to an ex- nents of Medicaid eligibility to those dren on Medicaid have par- uses to help pay for health public input, as the agree- panded Medicaid program Medicaid ex- earning up to 138 percent of ents who do not qualify. An care for uninsured Texans, ment requires, while it re- under the Affordable Care Paxton pansion the federal poverty level, as estimated 1.4 million more state officials said Wednes- negotiates the new exten- Act of 2010, but that never counter that allowed by the ACA. Texans who earn too much day. sion beyond its current Oc- happened because the U.S. Texas did not meet public That’s about $1,500 per to qualify for Medicaid but The state’s application tober 2022 expiration date. Supreme Court ruled in notice requirements and month for an individual, or not enough to pay for pri- for extending the 1115 fund- The decision did not stop 2012 that states couldn’t be that the 1115 waiver and ex- $3,000 a month for a family vate insurance would be eli- ing waiver will include three funding for the current forced to expand Medicaid. tension have been used to of four. Currently the gible if Texas were to ex- chances for the public to waiver, which will continue Since then, the state has re- bat away increasing pres- threshold in states that have pand its program. comment on the extension to provide $3.87 billion in lied on the waiver for vari- sure on conservative state not expanded Medicaid is application in the coming annual funding for 2021 and ous programs to care for leaders to allow Texans who about $200 per month for a The Texas Tribune is a weeks and will ask for the 2022 to partly offset free Texas’ uninsured. can’t afford private insur- family of two, or about $300 nonprofit, nonpartisan same deal given to the Texas care provided by Texas hos- Last week, Texas Attor- ance to become eligible for per month for a family of media organization that Health and Human Services pitals to the uninsured, and ney General Ken Paxton the government program. four. informs Texans about Commission in the waning to pay for innovative health filed a lawsuit against the Bi- Two public hearings are Some 4.2 million people public policy, politics, days of the Trump adminis- care projects that serve low- den administration over the scheduled on June 2and are on Medicaid in Texas — government and statewide tration, according to a state- income Texans, often for decision to rescind the ex- June 15.The public may join including more than 3 mil- issues. JAMES From page A3 wanted to give James up for adoption, but refused to answer questions about his whereabouts, accord- ing to the documents.