Healthier Markets

Health care prices are irrationally high and vary greatly, even for routine care. Rapidly consolidating hospital systems in Texas charge employers double what it costs to break even—more than three times Medicare—forcing employers and families to pay millions of dollars more than necessary.

In Dallas, removing a gallbladder can cost less than $5,000 or more than $35,000, depending on which hospital you choose. Hospitals are also marking up life-saving drugs an average of 250%. Private equity-backed staffing firms are aggressively consolidating physician practices then inflating prices and charging abusive facility fees. Price increases alone account for 75% of the increase in health insurance premiums—not utilization, not patient health, and not technological advancements.

Texans deserve affordable, high-quality health coverage and care, but rising prices push coverage further out of reach for too many.

Solutions?

          • Increase transparency
          • Increase competition
          • Allow innovative price shopping and value-based payments

Healthier Markets Resources

Healthier Texans Through Healthier Markets

All

Policy Papers

TAHP Presentations

101s

Testimonies

Comment Letters

Legislative Briefs

Texas Leads the Way in Health Insurance Competition

Annual Employer Health Benefits Survey Reveals Health Premiums Surge by 7% in 2023

Are You Getting the Real Price? New Study Finds A Huge Gap Between Online and Over-the-Phone Hospital Quotes

New Protections Against Medical Debt Start Today for Texans

TAHP’s Legislative Guide is here

Price Transparency Helps Patients

Five Things That May Surprise You About ACA Plans in Texas

It’s Clear: Freestanding ERs Need Transparency, Accountability

Prioritize Addressing Abuse in the Texas Commercial Market

TAHP Speaks Against Price Gouging

Texas Legislature Passes Prescription Drug Price Transparency Bill

CBS Denver: “Bill Would Clarify Costs of Visits to Free-standing ERs for Patients”

Pro-Consumer Legislation Requiring Greater Transparency from Free-standing ERs Headed to the Governor

Testimony On HB 3359: Network Adequacy

Coalition Letter Supporting HB 711: Addressing Market Consolidation

Testimony Supporting SB 1135: Value-Based Care

One-Pager Supporting HB 1073 and SB 1135: Value-Based Care

Testimony Opposing SB 1298: Freestanding ER Arbitration

Testimony Supporting SB 2476: Ambulance Surprise Billing

Coalition Letter Supporting HB 1073/SB 1135: Value-Based Care

Testimony Supporting HB 1073: Value-Based Care

Testimony Supporting HB 2414: Shopping Incentives

Testimony On HB 700: State-Based Exchange

Testimony Supporting HB 1581: HIMARC

Testimony Supporting HB 3351: Quality Transparency

Testimony Opposing HB 895: Prohibiting Extrapolation

Testimony Opposing HB 3098: Prohibiting Direction to Affiliate Providers

Testimony Opposing HB 1236: ER Fraud

The Prescription for a Healthier Texas Medicaid

Healthier Texans Through Healthier Markets

Texas Health Plans Cover More than 20 Million Texans

Coalition Letter Supporting HB 711: Addressing Market Consolidation

Coalition Letter Supporting HB 1073/SB 1135: Value-Based Care

The Prescription for a Healthier Texas Medicaid

Healthier Texans Through Healthier Markets

Texas Health Plans Cover More than 20 Million Texans

Testimony On HB 3359: Network Adequacy

Testimony Supporting SB 1135: Value-Based Care

Testimony Opposing SB 1298: Freestanding ER Arbitration

Testimony Supporting SB 2476: Ambulance Surprise Billing

Testimony Supporting HB 1073: Value-Based Care

Testimony Supporting HB 2414: Shopping Incentives

Testimony On HB 700: State-Based Exchange

Testimony Supporting HB 1581: HIMARC

Testimony Supporting HB 3351: Quality Transparency

Testimony Opposing HB 895: Prohibiting Extrapolation

Testimony Opposing HB 3098: Prohibiting Direction to Affiliate Providers

Testimony Opposing HB 1236: ER Fraud

One-Pager Supporting HB 1073 and SB 1135: Value-Based Care

Become a Member Today

Learn More

Membership with TAHP is an invaluable tool for integrating, building relationships, exchanging information and best practices, and promoting your services. You will be well-armed with the most timely and accurate information, strong relationships with key Texas leaders, and access to seasoned policy and regulatory experts.