For many of the five million uninsured Texans, our state’s health care safety net is their routine source of health care and final life line. Although critically important for these Texans, it’s worth asking, “why is a safety net the first and only option for so many Texans?” Proponents of safety net only policies fail to realize that safety net care should be a last resort, not a plan for a healthy Texas.

As we near the January 1, 2022 start date of the wildly popular new law to end the egregious practice of surprise medical bills, debate over the details has heated up. Following the release of interim final rules in October, the same physicians that initially fought to preserve the practice of sending patients unexpected bills are now complaining over the details of how they’ll be paid.

Experts agree that as much as 80% of a person’s health is determined by factors outside of direct medical care, including where they are born, grow, live, and work. To encourage better outcomes, health plans are working in communities to help address social barriers to good health, including the need for access to reliable and affordable transportation.

Today, the Texas Association of Health Plans (TAHP) announced that Blake Hutson is joining the team as Director of Public Affairs.

This week kicks off the open enrollment period to purchase health insurance through an ACA marketplace or exchange for 2022 coverage. Uninsured Texans may be surprised by the new options and affordable rates available to them. With new plan providers, increased subsidies, and help finding the best plan, this could be the most important open enrollment period in Texas yet.

Experts agree that as much as 80% of a person’s health is determined by factors outside of direct medical care. Whereas the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, and work — known as social determinants of health (SDOH) — play a much greater role. To encourage better outcomes, health plans are working in communities to help address SDOH, including the need for education.

Freestanding ERs made headlines again as a new report of a COVID test more expensive than a Tesla surfaced and another report of COVID test price gouging came out of Houston.

The third special session of the Texas Legislature wrapped up this morning shortly after midnight. This morning, the Legislature voted for the final passage of SB 8, which came out of conference yesterday and appropriates $16 billion in federal COVID relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Experts estimate that direct medical care affects only 15-20% of a person’s overall wellness, whereas the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, and work — social determinants of health (SDOH) — play a much greater role. To encourage better outcomes, health plans are working in communities to help address SDOH, including the need for gainful employment.