Texas Democrats believe health care is a right, not a privilege reserved for those able to pay for it. Texas Democrats oppose efforts by Republican politicians to repeal health insurance reform and return America to the disastrous system that has failed small businesses, working families and drained state and family budgets. Every family deserves health care they can count on and a system that ensures stability, security, and access to care.

Texas Democrats realize important work remains to correctly implement health care changes at the state level. Democrats oppose efforts by Republicans to go back to a system that allowed insurance companies to discriminate against Americans with illnesses, shove them off their plans and place lifetime limits on health care, preventing them from getting care when they needed it most. Democrats support effective implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act at the state level to protect Americans’ new, hard-fought health care rights.

Texas Democrats:

  • oppose Republican attempts to repeal the ban on denying coverage for preexisting conditions;
  • oppose Republican attempts to repeal sweeping small business tax credits;
  • oppose Republican attempts to repeal the ban on rescissions, where insurance companies shove individuals off their health insurance coverage if they develop a catastrophic illness;
  • oppose Republican attempts to repeal tax breaks for Americans to aid in the purchase of health insurance;
  • oppose Republican attempts to repeal the closure of the Medicare prescription drug donut hole that forced seniors to pay exorbitant prices under the Republican Medicare Part D plan;
  • oppose Republican attempts to repeal the expansion of health insurance to uninsured Americans, including 4 million Texans;
  • oppose Republican attempts to repeal the ability of parents to insure children up to age 26;
  • oppose Republican attempts to repeal the creation of health insurance marketplaces where consumers can shop for and compare affordable, quality health insurance plans; and
  • oppose Republican attempts to repeal a healthcare system based on prevention and wellness.

The previous health care system failed the American people, most especially Texans. Texas has the highest rate of uninsured among all 50 states, with over 1.4 million Texas children without insurance. Even those fortunate enough to have good insurance spend too much for it. The result: Americans pay more for health care than citizens of any other industrialized country. Fewer Texans are receiving health insurance through their employers, and those who do have employer-provided health plans are paying higher out-of-pocket expenses for health care.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will have a positive impact on our state, greatly improving Texans’ existing health insurance policies and bringing millions of uninsured Texas citizens into coverage. It reflects a change in the way we approach healthcare – shifting from a focus on treatment and disease and toward preventive approaches that ensure the health and long and productive life of all Americans.

In order to address critical health care needs, Texas Democrats:

  • support guaranteed access to affordable, comprehensive universal health care for all United States citizens and legal residents;
  • support creation of an insurance marketplace where small business owners can receive the same buying power that big businesses have while receiving tax credits to make employee coverage more affordable and dependable;
  • support the creation of an efficient and robust Texas based health insurance exchange where Texans can access affordable, quality health insurance plans;
  • support creation of a Texas universal health care plan as permitted under the Affordable Care Act to insure that every Texas resident has health insurance that covers medical, vision and dental care, full reproductive health services, preventive services, prescription drugs and mental health counseling and treatment;
  • believe the state must realize all opportunities to maximize federal and state dollars available to fund health care costs, including enforcement of existing charity care requirements;
  • oppose discrimination based on preexisting conditions and believe Texans with chronic illnesses should have access to coverage at an affordable price through the high risk pool with full coverage for all prescription medications during the interim period before the preexisting condition ban passed by Democrats takes effect; and
  • believe medical decisions regarding treatment options should be made by physicians in consultation with patients, not by an insurance company or government lay people.
 

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