Legislature
Seems Poised
to Address Texas Healthcare Issues

by Delbert Chumley, MD
BCMS President 2007

To me it seems crystal clear: our present system of employer spon-sored health insurance is outdated and it's time for all of us to accept the concept of some type of universal health coverage.

For those of us who attended the first TMA "First Tuesday" in Austin on February 6, we had the special privilege of being present as Governor Perry delivered his State of the State Address. I was encouraged to hear him prioritize and offer suggestions to help address problems with the uninsured, Medicaid and CHIP funding, the nursing shortage and supporting cancer research.

During my visits that afternoon with several of our legislatures, I also sensed a real concern and dedication on their part to work in a bipartisan effort to address the healthcare crises facing all Texans. However, as we all know, money and not common sense often rules legislative decisions.

Time will tell how the cards fall in Austin and whether medicine wins or folds. However, any gambler will tell you, “You'll never win unless you bet.” In our case, that means staying involved and focused on the important issues which affect the delivery of and access to quality healthcare and the ability for physicians to be able to afford to continue delivering that care.

I feel the tone is right and the political and financial environment are such that this legislative session will be favorable for medicine. The TMA and TEXPAC have worked hard this year at being proactive, addressing such issues as standardized contracts, adequate insurance networks, as well as transparency and physician ownership. Several of these topics will be incorporated into upcoming bills. It feels good to be on the offensive rather than the defensive side of the legislative battle for a change.

But with all this excitement and potential good news, I believe these efforts, although admirable, are not going to provide us with a long term fix. I have noticed that every two years our legislation seems to go back to the drawing board, trying to come up with new and novel solutions to the same problems with healthcare in Texas — funding the cost. Even though Gov. Perry introduced his "Healthier Texas" concept, where state funding will supplement the uninsured with low cost health insurance, it’s dependent on several unpredictable sources of revenue, including selling the Texas Lottery to a private outside source.

This problem is not unique to Texas. Several other states have implemented or are developing plans to address their uninsured/underinsured citizens. To me it seems crystal clear: our present system of employer sponsored health insurance is outdated and it's time for all of us to accept the concept of some type of universal health coverage.

I know even thinking about this has been taboo among us for as long as I can remember. The very thought of “Hillary Healthcare” is enough to make most of us nauseous. Never-theless, it appears that, if not during President Bush’s remaining term of office, certainly with the next president that universal healthcare coverage will be the number one priority.

I would hope as physicians we answer the call and work with our country's leaders to formulate a system that actually works. How often have we heard the complaint that decisions which affect the cost and delivery of medical care are too often made by people who know the least about medicine? It’s time for the AMA to be proactive like our TMA and start planning for the inevitable. I believe they will. Let's hope so.

 

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