If there was a way for Texas to expand health insurance coverage to nearly a million of the state’s most vulnerable people, enhancing their access to needed care, I think we can all agree that would be a very good thing. State budget constraints are a reality, but if the expansion could be accomplished without costing taxpayers anything, it would clearly be the right choice. What if Texas could increase coverage and actually come out ahead for taxpayers because of the substantial economic benefits? It would only make sense to do so. Right?
Texas is one of only 12 states that have not yet chosen to expand health insurance coverage to low-income adults using the financially attractive mechanism created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. In addition to enhancing the health and wellbeing of individuals directly affected, broadening coverage involves substantial business stimulus and tax revenues.
With more Texans having insurance, health-related spending would increase, generating additional business activity in communities across the state and throughout the economy. The level of uncompensated care could also be expected to fall, freeing up hospital and local taxing entity resources to be used for other critical priorities. This result is particularly beneficial to urban public hospitals and critical to the sustainability of rural care. In addition, increased coverage assists more people in obtaining the care that they need, improving morbidity and mortality outcomes and, in turn, increasing productivity, which provides additional economic activity and other benefits, some of which occur over an extended period
