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Texas healthcare system withering under Gov. Perry
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Rita
Sep 8, 2011, 6:01:20 PM9/8/11
to
latimes.com
Texas healthcare system withering under Gov. Perry
The governor and presidential hopeful has said the state can manage on
its own, without President Obama's overhaul. But more than a quarter
of Texans lack insurance, the highest rate in the nation.
Reporting from San Angelo, Texas
When Texas went to court last year to block President Obama's
healthcare overhaul, Gov. Rick Perry pledged to do everything in his
power to "protect our families, taxpayers and medical providers."
Texas, he said, could manage its own healthcare.
But in the 11 years the Republican presidential hopeful has been in
office, working Texans increasingly have been priced out of private
healthcare while the state's safety net has withered, leaving millions
of state residents without medical care.
"Texas just hasn't proven it can run a health system," said Dr. C.
Bruce Malone III, an orthopedic surgeon and president of the
historically conservative Texas Medical Assn.
More than a quarter of Texans lack health insurance, the highest rate
in the nation, placing a crushing burden on hospitals and doctors who
treat patients unable to pay.
Those costs are passed to the insured. Insurance premiums have risen
more quickly in Texas than they have nationally over the last seven
years. And when compared with incomes, insurance in Texas is more
unaffordable than in every state but Mississippi, according to the
nonprofit Commonwealth Fund.
That has taken a toll, as nearly a third of the state's children did
not receive an annual physical and a teeth cleaning in 2007, placing
Texas 40th in a state ranking by the fund. Over the last decade,
infant mortality rates have risen in Texas while declining nationwide,
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Seniors, despite guaranteed Medicare coverage, also are suffering, as
nearly 1 in 5 ends up back in the hospital within a month of being
released, one of the highest readmission rates in the country and a
leading indicator of systemwide problems.
Similar healthcare dynamics drove Obama's push for a national
overhaul. In Texas, however, elected officials have done little to
address the growing crisis, local health leaders say.
"The philosophy has been the less public expenditure, the better,"
said Dr. Kenneth Shine, who heads the University of Texas health
system. "And some people will just have to make do."
For those who can get it, medical care in Texas can compete with the
best in the nation. The state is home to internationally renowned
medical and research centers.
Perry promotes the state as a model for a private-sector healthcare
solution. Low taxes and limited government, he and his allies say,
lure businesses that can offer private insurance and empower working
people to make their own healthcare choices.
"The governor's primary goal is to create an environment that
encourages job creation and provides an environment of independence
rather than dependence," said spokeswoman Catherine Frazier. "Texas
does provide an adequate safety net to those truly in need … and many
individuals simply choose not to purchase healthcare coverage."
Frazier pointed to several initiatives, including medical malpractice
limits and a year-old program to subsidize insurance for small
businesses. As of August, the program had insured 4,266 people.
But across Texas, health coverage — and health — are eroding even in
places where jobs are plentiful.
In San Angelo, a growing city in the cotton and sorghum fields of West
Texas not far from where Perry was raised, unemployment is just 7.2%,
lower than it is statewide and nationally. But the waiting room at the
federally subsidized Esperanza Clinic is filled every day with working
people who have no insurance.
Connie Villarreal, who works the night shift at a home for disabled
adults, said she scrapes enough together to get coverage for her
diabetes. But she brought her uninsured 13-year-old daughter to the
clinic for a state-mandated physical so she can play soccer this fall.
Buying family coverage wasn't an option, Villarreal said. "It'd be
most of my paycheck, so we've been winging it." Villarreal just went
to court to force her daughter's father to pick up the tab to get the
teenager insurance.
Three-quarters of Esperanza's patients have jobs, said clinic Chief
Executive Mike Campbell. But because many businesses don't offer
health benefits, demand at the clinic is skyrocketing. Esperanza saw
13,000 patients last year, up from 11,000 the year before. "We are at
the breaking point," Campbell said.
At Shannon Medical Center, San Angelo's largest hospital, 30% of
patients coming to the ER lack coverage, close to twice the national
rate.
And at the San Jacinto Elementary School clinic, exam rooms fill up
with the children of working parents who don't have insurance or a
regular doctor.
While some of those seeking care are undocumented immigrants, just a
sixth of the uninsured in Texas are in the state illegally, according
to the nonprofit Center for Public Policy Priorities. "The reality is
that is not the big number," said Republican state Rep. John Zerwas.
For years, healthcare leaders here have urged elected officials to
act. A 2006 task force of doctors, academic leaders and business
executives warned of a "problem of epidemic proportions" that
threatened "the economic vitality and health of Texas."
Perry enacted a major overhaul of the medical malpractice system that
helped doctors stay in practice. "We now have much better access to
care," said Dr. William Hinchey, past president of the Texas Medical
Assn.
But Texas still has among the fewest physicians per capita in the
country, according to census data.
This year, the governor and state Legislature slashed funding to train
physicians to less than half of what it was a decade ago. Another
initiative highlighted by Perry's office to aid community health
centers was also cut.
That came atop $800 million in cuts to hospitals and other medical
providers that serve poor children, pregnant women and others who rely
on Medicaid.
Even before that move, Texas had one of the slimmest Medicaid and
Children's Health Insurance Programs in the country, spending less per
enrollee than 41 other states and the District of Columbia, according
the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation.
"The question seems to be how little can we fund and still have a
system," said Dr. Jane Rider, a past president of the Texas Pediatric
Society. "I always thought they would wake up and see, if nothing
else, they need a healthy, educated workforce.... Instead, it seems
like we're leading the way into a downward spiral."
noam....@latimes.com
Texas healthcare system withering under Gov. Perry
The governor and presidential hopeful has said the state can manage on
its own, without President Obama's overhaul. But more than a quarter
of Texans lack insurance, the highest rate in the nation.
Reporting from San Angelo, Texas
When Texas went to court last year to block President Obama's
healthcare overhaul, Gov. Rick Perry pledged to do everything in his
power to "protect our families, taxpayers and medical providers."
Texas, he said, could manage its own healthcare.
But in the 11 years the Republican presidential hopeful has been in
office, working Texans increasingly have been priced out of private
healthcare while the state's safety net has withered, leaving millions
of state residents without medical care.
"Texas just hasn't proven it can run a health system," said Dr. C.
Bruce Malone III, an orthopedic surgeon and president of the
historically conservative Texas Medical Assn.
More than a quarter of Texans lack health insurance, the highest rate
in the nation, placing a crushing burden on hospitals and doctors who
treat patients unable to pay.
Those costs are passed to the insured. Insurance premiums have risen
more quickly in Texas than they have nationally over the last seven
years. And when compared with incomes, insurance in Texas is more
unaffordable than in every state but Mississippi, according to the
nonprofit Commonwealth Fund.
That has taken a toll, as nearly a third of the state's children did
not receive an annual physical and a teeth cleaning in 2007, placing
Texas 40th in a state ranking by the fund. Over the last decade,
infant mortality rates have risen in Texas while declining nationwide,
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Seniors, despite guaranteed Medicare coverage, also are suffering, as
nearly 1 in 5 ends up back in the hospital within a month of being
released, one of the highest readmission rates in the country and a
leading indicator of systemwide problems.
Similar healthcare dynamics drove Obama's push for a national
overhaul. In Texas, however, elected officials have done little to
address the growing crisis, local health leaders say.
"The philosophy has been the less public expenditure, the better,"
said Dr. Kenneth Shine, who heads the University of Texas health
system. "And some people will just have to make do."
For those who can get it, medical care in Texas can compete with the
best in the nation. The state is home to internationally renowned
medical and research centers.
Perry promotes the state as a model for a private-sector healthcare
solution. Low taxes and limited government, he and his allies say,
lure businesses that can offer private insurance and empower working
people to make their own healthcare choices.
"The governor's primary goal is to create an environment that
encourages job creation and provides an environment of independence
rather than dependence," said spokeswoman Catherine Frazier. "Texas
does provide an adequate safety net to those truly in need … and many
individuals simply choose not to purchase healthcare coverage."
Frazier pointed to several initiatives, including medical malpractice
limits and a year-old program to subsidize insurance for small
businesses. As of August, the program had insured 4,266 people.
But across Texas, health coverage — and health — are eroding even in
places where jobs are plentiful.
In San Angelo, a growing city in the cotton and sorghum fields of West
Texas not far from where Perry was raised, unemployment is just 7.2%,
lower than it is statewide and nationally. But the waiting room at the
federally subsidized Esperanza Clinic is filled every day with working
people who have no insurance.
Connie Villarreal, who works the night shift at a home for disabled
adults, said she scrapes enough together to get coverage for her
diabetes. But she brought her uninsured 13-year-old daughter to the
clinic for a state-mandated physical so she can play soccer this fall.
Buying family coverage wasn't an option, Villarreal said. "It'd be
most of my paycheck, so we've been winging it." Villarreal just went
to court to force her daughter's father to pick up the tab to get the
teenager insurance.
Three-quarters of Esperanza's patients have jobs, said clinic Chief
Executive Mike Campbell. But because many businesses don't offer
health benefits, demand at the clinic is skyrocketing. Esperanza saw
13,000 patients last year, up from 11,000 the year before. "We are at
the breaking point," Campbell said.
At Shannon Medical Center, San Angelo's largest hospital, 30% of
patients coming to the ER lack coverage, close to twice the national
rate.
And at the San Jacinto Elementary School clinic, exam rooms fill up
with the children of working parents who don't have insurance or a
regular doctor.
While some of those seeking care are undocumented immigrants, just a
sixth of the uninsured in Texas are in the state illegally, according
to the nonprofit Center for Public Policy Priorities. "The reality is
that is not the big number," said Republican state Rep. John Zerwas.
For years, healthcare leaders here have urged elected officials to
act. A 2006 task force of doctors, academic leaders and business
executives warned of a "problem of epidemic proportions" that
threatened "the economic vitality and health of Texas."
Perry enacted a major overhaul of the medical malpractice system that
helped doctors stay in practice. "We now have much better access to
care," said Dr. William Hinchey, past president of the Texas Medical
Assn.
But Texas still has among the fewest physicians per capita in the
country, according to census data.
This year, the governor and state Legislature slashed funding to train
physicians to less than half of what it was a decade ago. Another
initiative highlighted by Perry's office to aid community health
centers was also cut.
That came atop $800 million in cuts to hospitals and other medical
providers that serve poor children, pregnant women and others who rely
on Medicaid.
Even before that move, Texas had one of the slimmest Medicaid and
Children's Health Insurance Programs in the country, spending less per
enrollee than 41 other states and the District of Columbia, according
the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation.
"The question seems to be how little can we fund and still have a
system," said Dr. Jane Rider, a past president of the Texas Pediatric
Society. "I always thought they would wake up and see, if nothing
else, they need a healthy, educated workforce.... Instead, it seems
like we're leading the way into a downward spiral."
noam....@latimes.com
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 8, 2011, 6:32:53 PM9/8/11
to
On Sep 8, 6:01 pm, Rita <rtkn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> latimes.com
> More than a quarter of Texans lack health insurance, the highest rate
> in the nation, placing a crushing burden on hospitals and doctors who
> treat patients unable to pay.
>
> Those costs are passed to the insured. Insurance premiums have risen
> more quickly in Texas than they have nationally over the last seven
> years.
And compare the above facts with the statement below.
> Perry promotes the state as a model for a private-sector healthcare
> solution. Low taxes and limited government, he and his allies say,
> lure businesses that can offer private insurance and empower working
> people to make their own healthcare choices.
>
And you can conclude the following:
Without govt. then private HC = fewer people covered.
That is called free market health care.
I recorded and watched the recent GOP debate for educational
reasons. Perry's HC in Texas was contrasted with Romneycare.
All wanted to repeal Obamacare. Newt Gingich was asked what
he thought about Perry and Romney's record on HC and all
he did was accuse the moderator of trying to get the candidates
to fight. Then he did some chest thumping on how they all wanted
to make Obama a one term president.
I am an independent and consider myself open minded. They
put Obama down on everything and I found it very interesting
that none offered any solution to any problems. On health care
they only seemed to think the new health care act (Obamacare)
was the problem.
I will say though that Herman Cain did offer some points on how
things should be "fixed" and not just abolished. He did highlight
some solutions, but none of the others could do anything more
than try to rally the audience about how Obama had messed things
up and they were not like Obama. No substance just chest
thumping.
> latimes.com
> More than a quarter of Texans lack health insurance, the highest rate
> in the nation, placing a crushing burden on hospitals and doctors who
> treat patients unable to pay.
>
> Those costs are passed to the insured. Insurance premiums have risen
> more quickly in Texas than they have nationally over the last seven
> years.
> Perry promotes the state as a model for a private-sector healthcare
> solution. Low taxes and limited government, he and his allies say,
> lure businesses that can offer private insurance and empower working
> people to make their own healthcare choices.
>
Without govt. then private HC = fewer people covered.
That is called free market health care.
I recorded and watched the recent GOP debate for educational
reasons. Perry's HC in Texas was contrasted with Romneycare.
All wanted to repeal Obamacare. Newt Gingich was asked what
he thought about Perry and Romney's record on HC and all
he did was accuse the moderator of trying to get the candidates
to fight. Then he did some chest thumping on how they all wanted
to make Obama a one term president.
I am an independent and consider myself open minded. They
put Obama down on everything and I found it very interesting
that none offered any solution to any problems. On health care
they only seemed to think the new health care act (Obamacare)
was the problem.
I will say though that Herman Cain did offer some points on how
things should be "fixed" and not just abolished. He did highlight
some solutions, but none of the others could do anything more
than try to rally the audience about how Obama had messed things
up and they were not like Obama. No substance just chest
thumping.
An independent old cuss
Sep 9, 2011, 10:21:42 AM9/9/11
to
"Rita" <rtk...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:skei67pvdlm4ufht5...@4ax.com...
> latimes.com
>
> Texas healthcare system withering under Gov. Perry
>
> The governor and presidential hopeful has said the state can manage
> on
> its own, without President Obama's overhaul. But more than a quarter
> of Texans lack insurance, the highest rate in the nation.
We don't care. We take responsibility for ourselves. If a person
>
> Texas healthcare system withering under Gov. Perry
>
> The governor and presidential hopeful has said the state can manage
> on
> its own, without President Obama's overhaul. But more than a quarter
> of Texans lack insurance, the highest rate in the nation.
doesn't want healthcare, we don't force it upon them. Plus, we don't
buy insurance for illegal aliens. We let idiotic democrats worry about
that.
--
All men are created equal. And the Democrats are
hell bent on keeping them that way!
An independent old cuss,
Randian born, Randian raised
and Randian to the core!
Alias
Sep 9, 2011, 10:59:26 AM9/9/11
to
On 09/09/2011 04:21 PM, An independent old cuss wrote:
.
>
> We don't care.
.
>
> We don't care.
We know you don't care about *anything* but yourself so you should have
written "I don't care" but that would be truthful, something you are
very unfamiliar with.
--
Alias
Werner
Sep 9, 2011, 5:35:29 PM9/9/11
to
When you shift something to someone else or something else, like the government, it means you don't care. If you care you do something yourself. Caring can't be legislated nor can effort be decreed.
Jerry Okamura
Oct 19, 2011, 12:51:28 PM10/19/11
to
Are the "people" better off depending on someone else to pay for their
healthcare, or are they better off depending on themselves? "If" the
"people" are better off having someone else paying for their healthcare,
would they also be better off if they did not have to pay for the food they
need?
"Rita" wrote in message news:skei67pvdlm4ufht5...@4ax.com...
healthcare, or are they better off depending on themselves? "If" the
"people" are better off having someone else paying for their healthcare,
would they also be better off if they did not have to pay for the food they
need?
"Rita" wrote in message news:skei67pvdlm4ufht5...@4ax.com...
An independent old cuss
Oct 19, 2011, 3:46:27 PM10/19/11
to
"Jerry Okamura" <okamu...@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message
news:leDnq.9601$6G4....@newsfe01.iad...
believe that if you will not take responsibility for your own
healthcare costs, we simply don't want you in Texas. So, by not
subsidizing you we're hoping you will move to one of the freeloader's
paradise states. You might think I'm just saying that but it's really
the way we feel about it. Most Texans, real Texans, are Native Texans
and we don't care a whole hell of a lot for outsiders. Therefore, we
do everything we can to piss them off enough that they will pack up
and leave.
--
"CAPITALISM is the only system geared to
the life of a rational being and the only
moral politico-economic system in history."
Ayn Rand
AndyS
Oct 19, 2011, 4:24:48 PM10/19/11
to
> All of this is because that's the way we Texans want it. You see, we
> believe that if you will not take responsibility for your own
> healthcare costs, we simply don't want you in Texas. So, by not
> subsidizing you we're hoping you will move to one of the freeloader's
> paradise states. You might think I'm just saying that but it's really
> the way we feel about it. Most Texans, real Texans, are Native Texans
> and we don't care a whole hell of a lot for outsiders. Therefore, we
> do everything we can to piss them off enough that they will pack up
> and leave.
> --
I'll second that..... I'm not a native Texas, but since I've never
sinnned,
so they let me in 35 years ago..
I don't see a thing wrong with a person selecting the state, and
the
environment they want to live in. If they want to live in a state
which
gives free medical care to everyone whether they are trespassing
or not, and taxes all the workers to pay
for it, more power to them....
Cuss's idea seems to be working in Arizona, as the illegal aliens
have been moving out to California and Nevada in droves, where they
seem to be welcome....
Texas, which is 2 1/2 times the size of the entire UK (including
England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales) is a really big place, with
the
largest "open" southern border, so the abundance of illegal aliens
put a real drain on the social resources, and we're tired of it....
and mostly because of the indifference that Washington has to the
problems we have here... Their "one size fits all" approach to
legislation is very naive. Fortunately, we can ignore much of it
and continue on....
Let the illegals go over to New Mexico, where Bill Richardson will
welcome
them ---- at least up until the point when the taxpayers rebel against
the lowering of their standard of living..... On the other hand, the
Mexicans who are here legally, and have no problems with the law,
are really a positive asset to our state, whether they have become
citizens or are still using a green card....
Andy in Eureka, Texas
An independent old cuss
Oct 19, 2011, 4:50:41 PM10/19/11
to
"AndyS" <jungl...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:90989456-ade4-4233...@u2g2000yqc.googlegroups.com...
native Texan. One can either marry a native Texan or failing that they
can confess to having once slept with the Yellow Rose of Texas.
maxw...@my-deja.com
Oct 19, 2011, 6:18:04 PM10/19/11
to
On Oct 19, 3:46 pm, "An independent old cuss" <c...@exitin.org> wrote:
> "Jerry Okamura" <okamuraj...@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message
> > noam.le...@latimes.com
" Those costs are passed to the insured. Insurance premiums have risen
more quickly in Texas than they have nationally over the last seven
years. "
That just makes my dick hard.
> "Jerry Okamura" <okamuraj...@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message
>
> All of this is because that's the way we Texans want it. You see, we
> believe that if you will not take responsibility for your own
> healthcare costs, we simply don't want you in Texas. So, by not
> subsidizing you we're hoping you will move to one of the freeloader's
> paradise states. You might think I'm just saying that but it's really
> the way we feel about it. Most Texans, real Texans, are Native Texans
> and we don't care a whole hell of a lot for outsiders. Therefore, we
> do everything we can to piss them off enough that they will pack up
> and leave.
That is absolutely brilliant. Did you read all the article?
> All of this is because that's the way we Texans want it. You see, we
> believe that if you will not take responsibility for your own
> healthcare costs, we simply don't want you in Texas. So, by not
> subsidizing you we're hoping you will move to one of the freeloader's
> paradise states. You might think I'm just saying that but it's really
> the way we feel about it. Most Texans, real Texans, are Native Texans
> and we don't care a whole hell of a lot for outsiders. Therefore, we
> do everything we can to piss them off enough that they will pack up
> and leave.
" Those costs are passed to the insured. Insurance premiums have risen
more quickly in Texas than they have nationally over the last seven
years. "
AndyS
Oct 19, 2011, 6:36:08 PM10/19/11
to
On Oct 19, 3:50 pm, "An independent old cuss" <c...@exitin.org> wrote:
or failing that , they
Chinese girl,... is she ????
:>)))) Andy in Eureka
or failing that , they
> can confess to having once slept with the Yellow Rose of Texas.
Andy asks:
Chinese girl,... is she ????
:>)))) Andy in Eureka
Alias
Oct 19, 2011, 7:43:11 PM10/19/11
to
--
Alias
An independent old cuss
Oct 19, 2011, 8:18:40 PM10/19/11
to
<maxw...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:d85ca733-20b3-4127...@y32g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...
" Those costs are passed to the insured. Insurance premiums have risen
more quickly in Texas than they have nationally over the last seven
years. "
the outsiders pay us for our gasoline.
That just makes my dick hard.
--
An independent old cuss
Oct 19, 2011, 8:20:22 PM10/19/11
to
news:2145e535-6bb8-4d76...@h5g2000vbf.googlegroups.com...
I think so. They do come from Louisana don't they?
Thumper
Oct 20, 2011, 6:51:37 AM10/20/11
to
him on a run for the Presidency.
Presumably God would have his priorities in order.
Thumper
An independent old cuss
Oct 20, 2011, 10:09:00 AM10/20/11
to
"Thumper" <jayl...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:c7vv97t7g0ccargpj...@4ax.com...
>>>> many
>>>> individuals simply choose not to purchase healthcare coverage."
>>>>
>>>> Frazier pointed to several initiatives, including medical
>>>> malpractice
>>>> limits and a year-old program to subsidize insurance for small
>>>> businesses. As of August, the program had insured 4,266 people.
>>>>
>>>> But across Texas, health coverage - and health - are eroding even
>>>> individuals simply choose not to purchase healthcare coverage."
>>>>
>>>> Frazier pointed to several initiatives, including medical
>>>> malpractice
>>>> limits and a year-old program to subsidize insurance for small
>>>> businesses. As of August, the program had insured 4,266 people.
>>>>
to do to the rest of you.
Alias
Oct 20, 2011, 10:10:56 AM10/20/11
to
So, sport, when will Texas secede?
--
Alias
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