Texas Cost of living – The Latest Changes in Health Care Cost

Bill — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:11:43 +0000

More bad news for Texans. Medical insurance premiums are on the rise and Medicaid reimbursement could be cut. The Cost of Employer sponsored health insurance in Texas is on the rise so naturally benefits are on the decline and proposed cuts in medicaid reimbursement rates could hurt the poorest of Americans.

The Rising Cost of Medical Insurance in Texas

According to the Commonwealth fund report between 2003 and 2010 the cost of insurance premiums for employees rose 52% for families and 45% for individuals. Deductibles more than doubled in that time.
Contact the Texas Department of Insurance if you feel the increases in your premiums lack justification.

Why the Increase in Healthcare Cost

According to the Commonwealth report the rising cost of healthcare is a nationwide epidemic. But the really head scratcher here is why the Texas health care rate of increase went from one of the lowest to one of the highest. When you look at the increase in Health care it is rising faster than the cost of living in Texas. Yes, cost of living is partly to blame for these increases but health reform can also be blamed. New stricter requirements on insurance companies are driving operating costs up and as usual these increases have been passed on to the consumer.

Medicaid Cuts

Texas is proposing to cut 35% a year out of the Medicaid program. Doctors are very concerned because of the toll it would take on children and the poorest of Texas. Cuts in co-payments to physicians will save the state millions but would prompt doctors not to practice in the poorer parts of Texas. Overall this change would make it harder for physicians to practice medicine in Texas. Doctors offices rely heavily on the Medicaid program for revenue.

How we can control the rise of Health care cost in Texas

Controlling healthcare cost in Texas is an enormous challenge and will need the assistance of the government, insurers, hospitals, doctors and the public alike.

Read more on the cost of living in Texas

Houston’s Economy a Beacon of Hope

Bill — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:31:11 +0000

Houston residents and local leaders have something big to hang their hat on. With many cities in the United States slow to recover from the recession, Houston is experiencing positive growth in its energy, health care, financial, oil and tech industries. Texas overall has all but overcome the recession. Houston ranking first statewide and 5th nationally with a gross metropolitan product of $350 billion has championed this remarkable turnaround.

This increase in gross metropolitan product has trickled down to the job market. Houston has added over 65 thousand jobs in the last year thanks to the economic growth in these industries. Texas overall has added more jobs than any other state in the country year to date.

Houston citizens are benefiting from an improved job market. Unemployment declined to just above 8% falling right in line with the state average. A key consideration is that compared to other major cities in Texas this is low. In retrospect the U.S unemployment rate sits above 9%.

In this down economy it is encouraging to see the port of Houston doing so well. According to recent reports the port of Houston is thriving. Boasting a 35% net income gain Houston is showing no signs of slowing down with a 13% increase in revenue within the last nine months. State and local tax revenues as well as the overall economy have benefited from the over 100 billion dollar revenue stream the port of Houston brought in.