Moratorium on Mandates 

Health insurance costs in Texas are too high. Government imposed mandates are adding costs and limiting flexibility for employers and families. In recent legislative sessions, Texas lawmakers passed nearly two dozen new mandates on private market health coverage

Featured Resources

Solutions to Address Health Care Mandates: 101 Presentation

Health Care Mandates Hurt Texans

Texas Organizations Support Mandate Cost Transparency

Texas Legislature Bill Filing Starts & Health Care Mandates Grow

Health Care Mandate Testimony for House Insurance 9.5.24

Small Employer Payrolls Suffer from High Health Care Costs

Additional Resources

All

Policy Papers

TAHP Presentations

101s

Testimonies

Comment Letters

Legislative Briefs

News

Testimony in Opposition to HB 3695 (Physical Therapy Copay Mandate) 4.30.25

HB 138 Support One-Pager – Voluntary Cost Transparency Tool Empowers Smarter Health Policy

HB 1818 Oppose One-Pager – Costly New Review Mandate Raises Premiums Without Improving Patient Care

Testimony Opposing HB 3812 (TMB Prior Authorization Overreach) 4.9.25

Testimony Opposing HB 712 (Prostate Cancer Test Mandate) 4.9.25

Testimony Opposing HB 2750 (Drug Coverage Carve-Out Mandate) 4.8.25

Testimony on HB 1818 (Annual Exam UR and Rx Mandate) 3.26.25

Testimony in Support of HB 139 (Employer Coverage/”Mandate Lite”) 3.26.25

Texas Groups Support Affordable Employer Coverage Options

Health Care Mandates 101 Presentation – 89th Session

Testimony in Support of HB 138 to Create a Mandate Transparency Review Process 3.19.25

Texas Must Reject Costly ERISA Mandates Like SB 1122

TAHP Testimony Opposing SB 1122 (Applies 1919 & 1763 Rx Mandates) 3.5.25

Texas Businesses Oppose SB 1122: Health Care Mandates Raise Costs on ERISA Plans

Texas Groups Support Mandate Lite Coverage

Solutions to Address Health Care Mandates: 101 Presentation

ICYMI: Texas Association of Business Releases 2024 Health Care Survey Results

Texas Legislature Bill Filing Starts & Health Care Mandates Grow

Texas Organizations Support Mandate Cost Transparency

Health Care Mandate Testimony for House Insurance 9.5.24

Small Employer Payrolls Suffer from High Health Care Costs

TAHP Supports Bills to Create More Affordable Health Coverage Options for Employers

ICYMI: Texas Association of Business Releases 2022 Health Care Survey Results

Legislators Need to Know the Cost of Health Care Mandates

Coalition Letter Supporting SB 1581: HIMARC

Coalition Letter Supporting SB 1581: HIMARC

One-Pager Supporting HB 1581: HIMARC

Testimony Supporting HB 1581: HIMARC

Coalition Letter Supporting HB 1001 and SB 605: Mandate-Lite Options

Expanding Affordable Coverage Options

Testimony Supporting HB 1001: Mandate Lite Coverage

HB 138 Support One-Pager – Voluntary Cost Transparency Tool Empowers Smarter Health Policy

HB 1818 Oppose One-Pager – Costly New Review Mandate Raises Premiums Without Improving Patient Care

Texas Groups Support Affordable Employer Coverage Options

Texas Businesses Oppose SB 1122: Health Care Mandates Raise Costs on ERISA Plans

Texas Groups Support Mandate Lite Coverage

Texas Organizations Support Mandate Cost Transparency

Coalition Letter Supporting SB 1581: HIMARC

Coalition Letter Supporting SB 1581: HIMARC

Coalition Letter Supporting HB 1001 and SB 605: Mandate-Lite Options

Expanding Affordable Coverage Options

Health Care Mandates 101 Presentation – 89th Session

Solutions to Address Health Care Mandates: 101 Presentation

Testimony in Opposition to HB 3695 (Physical Therapy Copay Mandate) 4.30.25

Testimony Opposing HB 3812 (TMB Prior Authorization Overreach) 4.9.25

Testimony Opposing HB 712 (Prostate Cancer Test Mandate) 4.9.25

Testimony Opposing HB 2750 (Drug Coverage Carve-Out Mandate) 4.8.25

Testimony on HB 1818 (Annual Exam UR and Rx Mandate) 3.26.25

Testimony in Support of HB 139 (Employer Coverage/”Mandate Lite”) 3.26.25

Testimony in Support of HB 138 to Create a Mandate Transparency Review Process 3.19.25

TAHP Testimony Opposing SB 1122 (Applies 1919 & 1763 Rx Mandates) 3.5.25

Health Care Mandate Testimony for House Insurance 9.5.24

Testimony Supporting HB 1581: HIMARC

Testimony Supporting HB 1001: Mandate Lite Coverage

One-Pager Supporting HB 1581: HIMARC

Texas Must Reject Costly ERISA Mandates Like SB 1122

ICYMI: Texas Association of Business Releases 2024 Health Care Survey Results

Texas Legislature Bill Filing Starts & Health Care Mandates Grow

Small Employer Payrolls Suffer from High Health Care Costs

TAHP Supports Bills to Create More Affordable Health Coverage Options for Employers

ICYMI: Texas Association of Business Releases 2022 Health Care Survey Results

Legislators Need to Know the Cost of Health Care Mandates

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.

1. How can I enroll in a health insurance plan during open enrollment?
Open enrollment for health insurance typically occurs annually from November 1 to December 15. During this period, you can enroll in or make changes to your health insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov. If you miss this window, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to certain life events, such as marriage, birth of a child, or loss of other coverage.

2. What are the health insurance options available in Texas?
Texans have several health insurance options, including:
  • Employer-Sponsored Insurance: Coverage provided by your employer.
  • Individual Plans: Purchased directly from insurance companies or through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
  • Government Programs: Such as Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare.
  • Short-Term Plans: Temporary coverage for specific periods.

3. Who is eligible for Medicaid and CHIP in Texas?
Medicaid: Available to low-income individuals, families, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Eligibility is based on income and household size.
CHIP: Provides health coverage for children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.
For detailed eligibility criteria, visit the Texas Health and Human Services website.

4. What is the Health Insurance Marketplace, and how does it work in Texas?
The Health Insurance Marketplace is a platform where individuals can compare and purchase health insurance plans. In Texas, the federal government operates the Marketplace through HealthCare.gov. You can compare plans, check for subsidies, and enroll during the open enrollment period.

5. Are there financial assistance options to help pay for health insurance?
Yes, depending on your income and household size, you may qualify for subsidies to lower your premiums and out-of-pocket costs. These include:
  • Premium Tax Credits: Reduce the amount you pay for insurance premiums.
  • Cost-Sharing Reductions: Lower your out-of-pocket costs for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
Eligibility for these subsidies is determined through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

6. What should I consider when choosing a health insurance plan?
Consider these factors:
  • Premiums
  • Deductibles
  • Network of doctors and hospitals
  • Coverage of required medications and services
  • Out-of-Pocket Maximum
For more guidance, refer to the Texas Department of Insurance's Health Plan Shopping Guide.

7. What is a Special Enrollment Period, and how can I qualify?
A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) allows you to enroll in health insurance outside the annual open enrollment period if you experience certain life events:
  • Loss of Health Coverage
  • Household Changes (e.g. marriage, divorce, birth)
  • Residence Changes
To apply, visit HealthCare.gov.

8. How can I find out if my doctor is covered under a specific health plan?
Most insurance companies provide online directories of in-network providers. You can also contact the insurer directly or ask your doctor’s office to verify coverage.

9. Where can I get assistance with understanding and enrolling in health insurance?
Several resources are available: