JOYFUL PIECE #33
Coverage trends in health insurance.
Image by Verdy p, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. This image is a work of a United States Department of Transportation employee, taken or made as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain.
Everyone complains about the rising costs of healthcare. But what if you lack health insurance?
It is not unusual to find those unable to obtain health insurance to be hit by a medical catastrophe that sends them to the poorhouse. Many Americans fall in a crack because their income is not low enough for Medicaid and at the same time their employers do not provide a health insurance benefit. They struggle to find affordable insurance. Regrettably, Texas has the unfortunate reputation of having the highest number of uninsured residents in the nation.
Well, hear the good news! More Texans than ever have signed up for cheap or free health care coverage. There has been a 37% increase in Texas enrollees, as noted in this Texas Monthly article. And it is not only Texas, but the nation is experiencing record highs as well.
We have witnessed opposition to affordable health care for years. Whatever the reason for this improvement in enrollment, it means that thousands of our fellow citizens have a better chance to lead healthful lives from both a fiscal and a medical perspective. But we must recognize that this progress has been attained thanks to untiring efforts by progressive public health advocates from both sides of the aisle.
According to the article there is now an opportunity to include close to a million more Texans.
Can we convince the Texas Legislature to focus on its citizens rather than berate Obamacare?
In any case, the federal marketplace for affordable care is working. This news is cause for joy as it pulls many fellow Texans awary from the brink of medical and financial disasters.
Is it not amazing how progress can be made when we focus on finding answers instead of creating obstacles?
What do you think?
Great article. Solutions and move forward far better than obstacle making actions
Thanks Manuel for reminding us of major decreases in the number of uninsured Americans in the last couple years. That's a huge life-saver.