[Texgreen] Facts about Texan's heath

[Roger Baker]

Constable's Notebook - March 2007

By Constable Bruce Elfant

One of the first laws passed after Texas gained independence from Mexico
required counties to provide health care for indigent people. Today  
counties
continue to serve as the safety net of last resort for most of the 5.5
million Texans who cannot afford health insurance. Two studies  
sponsored by
medical professionals found the Texas health care system to be under- 
funded,
inequitable, and poorly organized. The Indigent Health Care Advisory
Committee found that "Texas has the third highest obesity rate in the
country; has one of the highest death rates from preventable causes;  
ranks
number 46 on expenditures per capita for mental health and number 32 on
state spending for health care as a percentage of gross product." The
findings contained in Code Red, a study commissioned by hospital
professionals, include:

* Texas has the highest percentage (25%) of uninsured citizens in
the nation

* Seventy-nine percent of uninsured Texans work or have a working
family member

* Three million Texans are less likely to receive less costly
preventative care

* One million uninsured Texans do not receive adequate care for
chronic diseases

* Medical expenses are the single biggest reason for personal
bankruptcies in Texas

* The overall health condition of Texans is poor

The Indigent Health Care Advisory Committee reported that "The number of
uninsured in Texas is particularly acute among small employers and the
"working poor" - people earning less than 200% of the federal Poverty  
Limit
(FPL) ($18,000 per year for a single individual, and $40,000 for a  
family of
four.)" Texas counties are required to spend 8% of their budget to  
provide
health care services for residents who make less than 21% of FPL (the  
very
poor). Some counties including Travis, provide services for people up to
100% of FPL ($20,000 for a family of four). This patchwork of health  
care
eligibilities and services has resulted in a migration of residents from
counties with few services and restricted eligibilities to counties with
higher eligibilities and more available services. Much of the cost of
providing health care is due to ER visits that are not actually  
emergencies
and for emergencies that would not have become emergencies if  
patients had
access to or took advantage of preventative health care services.

Both studies concluded that in order to effectively and economically  
treat
chronic ailments, provide guidance on healthy eating and exercise  
habits,
and prevent illnesses, all citizens should have access to basic primary
health care services. They call for the Texas Legislature to consider
creation of regional health care districts to focus on access to primary
care and share fairly the costs; expand and standardize eligibility
requirements; take full advantage of available federal funds; and offer
incentives to help small businesses provide health insurance.

There is general agreement that health care services cannot keep pace  
with
increasing needs and rising costs. The Legislature has a real  
opportunity to
craft a more equitable and affordable health care system for all Texans.
Let's hope that they don't punt.

Copies of the studies cited can be obtained at CodeRedTexas.org and
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/cihcp/default.shtm