Texas Health Insurance: Children Win In The War Over Healthcare

Texas has the lowest percentage of residents protected by health insurance in the entire country. Only one in four have any form of Texas health insurance at all. Media coverage has been scant regarding the future of more than half a million Americans who have been through bankruptcy court, largely due to medical bills. So, what will the future look like for Texas?

Although the rest of the industrialized world has left "for-profit" health insurance behind, every Texas Republican in the U.S. Congress voted no on the healthcare reform that could protect the vast majority of Texans with access to medical care.

Employees Will See Changes In 2011 Health Benefits

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Workers who have received their annual enrollment packets for insurance benefits" should expect slight changes to their plans this year due to the health care overhaul. Most employees can expect to pay more next year, due in part to the 1 to 2 percent increase in insurance costs brought about by the law. The changes expected this year: adults younger than 26 can stay on their parents' health insurance plan if they lack coverage through work; children under 19 can't be denied due to a pre-existing condition; preventive care must be free; "insurers may no longer impose lifetime dollar limits on essential health care benefits, such as hospital stays;" and consumers are guaranteed the option to choose their own primary care doctor from their plan's network (Teegardin, 11/15).