The advocacy organization Children at Risk says a failure to renew access to affordable health insurance will have devastating impacts for Texas children and families. As Texas Public Radio reports, Washington remains at a standstill whether to continue or end federal subsidies that help make marketplace health plans affordable.
Children at Risk CEO Bob Sanborn spoke during a virtual press conference on Thursday, November 20. He says the uninsured rate in Texas – the highest in the country - could climb from the current 16.6% of residents [nearly 5 million people], to 20% without continued premium subsidies. In real numbers, that translates to 1.4 million Texas, including 235,000 children, at risk of losing health insurance coverage.
As Sanborn explains, that doesn’t mean just a greater uninsurance rate. "You're going to have higher healthcare costs. There are going to be workforce challenges, declining community health outcomes all because children are going to lose this access to affordable care.”
Sanborn also says as enrollment drops, hospitals will have to shoulder more uncompensated care and family premiums could double. That can add up to $2,000 more per year for households already struggling with the cost of living.
