Doing the Texas "To-Do" Steps - Texas healthcare delivery system

Healthcare Financial Management, June, 2001 by Jeff Eppinette

Conclusion

The foregoing examples only hint at the actual scope of the problems facing health care in Texas. Indeed, for every item listed, several more could be added. One thing is certain: the healthcare needs of Texas, like those of all Americans, must be addressed. Yet, given that few of the problems Texas must deal with have simple solutions, it remains to be seen how, and to what extent, those needs will be met.

Jeff Eppinette, CPA, is finance director, Baptist Health System, San Antonio, Texas, and a broad member of HFMA's South Texas Chapter.

(a.) Texas Needs Nurses: Facts about the Nursing Shortage in Texas," press release of the Texas Hospital Association and Texas Nurses Association, 2001 (http://www.texasnurses.org/who/press/releases/Nurses.PDF).

(b.) For information on the Texas legislature's action regarding the nursing shortage, go to http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/capitol.htm, and enter bill numbers SB 572 and HB 1361.

(c.) Personal communication, Ernie Schmid, senior financial analyst, The Texas Hospital Association, April 2001.

(d.) Personal communication, Bill Beaversdorf, financial analyst, The Texas Department of Insurance, April 2001.

(e.) To read the TDI's news release regarding the WellChoice action, go to http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/commish/nr02049.html.> (f.) Conklin, J.C., "Insurance Regulators Monitoring PacifiCare," Dallas Morning News, November 15, 2000, pp. 1-2D.

(g.) The final rule was published in the May 19, 2000, Texas Register. To read the adopted rule, go to http://texinfo.library.unt.edu/texasregister/htm1/2000/May.19/adopted /28.insurance.html#353.

(h.) The comptroller's estimates were given in testimony on December 19, 1999, before the Texas Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Uninsured. For more information, go to http://window.state.tx.us/uninsure/.> (i.) Texas Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Uninsured, "Demographic Profile of the Texas Population without Health Insurance Coverage during the 1996-1998 Period," May 2000, http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/budget/cons_bud/dssi/brt/brt.htm.> (j.) Lee, Christopher, "Texas Leads Nation in Lost Medicaid Coverage for Children," The Dallas Morning News, October 21, 1999, http://www.dallasnews.com/texas_southwest/1021tsw1welfare.htm.> (k.) See Texas Health and Human Services Commission Report, "CHIP Enrollment and Referrals, April 16, 2001, http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/chip/DHSrpt.pdf.>

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