Safetalks Business Blog

The Texas Hospital Association (THA) is urging lawmakers in Dallas, Houston and throughout the rest of the state to take the right steps to make health insurance more affordable and accessible to individuals in Texas. The state ranks first in the country in the percentage of uninsured residents (24. 6%).
‘Cover the Uninsured Week,’ which is observed nationally to highlight the importance of access to affordable health care benefits, has garnered particular attention in Texas where Gov. Rick Perry has localized the awareness effort by proclaiming April 23-29, 2007 as Cover the Uninsured Week in the Lone Star State.
“Everyone pays the price when individuals, families and small businesses cannot afford health insurance,” the Governor stated. “The increasing costs of uncompensated care place a strain on Texas hospitals, other health care providers and on the quality of care every patient receives. Texas recognizes the urgency to take meaningful steps to make health insurance more affordable and accessible. “
Nearly one quarter of Texas residents — approximately 5. 5 million men, women and children — is uninsured. In addition, the uninsured rate in every major Texas city is higher than the national average, and Texas’ share of uninsured children, more than 25 percent, also is higher than the national average. In 2005, eight in 10 non-elderly uninsured Texans came from working families — nearly 70 percent from families with one or more full-time workers.
“Texas hospitals are working with our elected officials in the battle to provide health care coverage to more Texans through the private sector as well as state-funded programs such as Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program,” according to THA President/CEO Dan Stultz, M. D. , FACP, FACHE. Stultz said, “We know that access to affordable health insurance affects all Texans — because we all pay the price when Texans don’t get the care they need. “
In addition to working to reverse cuts in Medicaid and CHIP funding, and restoring provider reimbursement rates, the THA supports a number of private-sector measures to increase the number of Texans with health insurance coverage. These measures include:
H. B. 882 by Rep. Elliott Naishtat/Rep. John Davis (S. B. 922 by Sen. Kirk Watson) — These measures authorize counties to establish or participate in regional health care programs, which would provide health care services or benefits to the employees of small employers located in the participating counties.
H. B. 1182 by Rep. John Davis — Requires that state agencies and school districts consider whether a vendor provides health care benefits or equivalent health savings benefits to its employees when awarding a contract for goods or services.
S. B. 1023 by Sen. Royce West — Limits the use of money in the Texas Enterprise Fund to recipients that provide health benefit plans.
H. B. 3321 by Rep. Vicki Truitt — Requires students to be enrolled in a health benefit plan and to submit proof of health insurance before enrollment at a public institution of higher education.
H. B. 3361 by Rep. Garnet Coleman (S. B. 1681 by Sen. Kip Averitt) — Requires that health care benefit plans allow unmarried children of any age to be covered under a parent’s or grandparent’s health insurance policy or plan if the cost of the premium is paid.
When uninsured Texans are sick, they currently often turn to hospital emergency rooms because they have no primary care physician. Stultz noted that nearly 20 percent of people who lack health insurance report turning to the ER for what is often routine care, compared to only three percent of those with insurance coverage, according to the National Coalition on Health Care.
“Using hospital emergency rooms for non-critical care takes precious time and scarce resources that doctors, nurses and other health care professionals could put to work for those patients who truly need life-saving care or intervention for serious medical conditions. ” Adding that Texas hospitals spent more than $10. 1 billion in 2005 to care for patients who have no health insurance, Stultz said, “The costs of uncompensated care strains our physicians’ and hospitals’ ability to provide quality care to all patients — regardless of their insurance status. It also places undue burdens on local taxpayers, workers and health care consumers. “
Health care experts say that increasing the number of people with health insurance will further enhance the quality of care and help reduce the losses that result from doctors and hospitals treating patients with no health insurance. Uncompensated care limits the financial resources available to invest in new technology, electronic communication, education and other enhancements that would improve patient care and outcomes for all patients.

Lately the price of health care has risen significantly. Because of this, the demand for less expensive health insurance plans increase everyday. Less expensive health plans are what people are looking for. However, these plans provide restricted services. Cheaper health coverage plans involve the cost of doctors’ visit, medicines, hospital stay and other medical costs. Doctor visits and prescription costs are not covered by some health plans available. Therefore, individuals need to ensure that, they select the right policy that provides all the basic coverage. Family health plans are a low cost health insurance program. This will cost you less than an individual’s health policy. To receive inexpensive health insurance plans, people may have to sacrifice a few things they have always loved to do. The first step is to compare the quotes given by different insurance companies. The lowest price is often only a few clicks away via the internet. Compared to the monthly premium option, yearly premium payments offers the best value in health coverage. Many insurers claim that monthly payment is more comfortable. However, a person has to pay more for this scheme. Under this plan, some transaction tax is needed when processing checks. Twelve separate transactions are necessary for a schedule that allows you to pay each month. Only one check is required in an yearly payment scheme. There is only one payment per year. Certain administrative and service rates with monthly premiums increase the cost of this payment. You never know if you are going to get a serious health condition in the years to come. Buying inexpensive health insurance is a good way to avoid potential problems in the future. Age and health of a person, are the two important factors that determine the rate of medical plans. The selection of group health insurance is a long-term plan. It is a great choice if it is associated with an organization or club. A member of an organization gets affordable health insurance programs. A viable choice is an association or other group. Different credit card firms offer association group health insurance policies, which are of low cost. Some consumers might prefer looking into private health insurance, if money is a particular concern. For instance, a 30 year old man living in Texas who is in good health might spend just $37 monthly for a private plan. National employees with individual coverage pay $250 more each year. But the thing is that you require a lot of time to buy cheaper private insurance. Check for state run programs that offer cheaper health insurance. Women and children have better odds of obtaining coverage. For example, a pregnant woman in California, who makes up to $63,000 per year, can qualify for health care through Medicare. More people are retiring before the age of 65. It is necessary to be 65 years of age to qualify for government health insurance US Medicare. Retired people,should check with their last employer to see if it includes health insurance. Higher premiums may apply to retired people. It is less expensive than buying health insurance yourself.