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