Most have probably learned by now that Texas leads the nation in the number of uninsured with approximately 25% or about 5.4 million individuals. To help put that number in context, there are 22 states with a population of less than 5 million. In Central Texas the percent of uninsured is around 22%. The numbers and related consequences increase significantly if you include the under-insured. And lest you think that these numbers are buoyed mainly by slackers, more than 80% of those without insurance are from working households. And of that 80%, about 25% are employed, but aren’t offered insurance; and 11% are employed and offered insurance, but still can’t afford it.
Two common consequences of individuals not having insurance are that they neglect wellness check-ups and delay necessary care until they deem it an emergent need and then they head to the emergency department of a hospital where care is 3 times more costly than in a non-emergent care setting. Below is a sampling of additional descriptors of this health care crisis:
In Texas (as of October 2008) 1.4 million children are without health insurance; about 1/5 of all kids.
According to the latest Center for Public Policy Priorities data, in 2005 approximately 42,000 children – almost 20% — in Travis County were uninsured.
Sick children face significant barriers to success in schools, e.g., they are 25% more likely to miss school and three times more likely not to get needed medications, glasses or mental health care.
The total number of uninsured in Central Texas is projected to grow from about 350,000 in 2000 to approximately 500,000 in 2010, and 1 million in 2030.
Central Texas will need at least 2000 more physicians (primary and specialty care) by 2020 than it currently has.
The Travis County healthcare District has the lowest tax rate in Texas.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME, TREASURE AND TALENT PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING SITES:
www.cppp.org (The Center for Public Policy Priorities)
www.icc-centex.org (Integrated Care Collaborative)
www.lscctx.org (Lone Star Circle of Care)
www.elbuen.org (El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission)
www.traviscountyhd.org (Travis County HealthcareDistrict)
www.communitycaretx.org (CommUnityCare)