Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool
Texans Need an Affordable Health Insurance Risk Pool
Many Texas families risk losing their health coverage because the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool is priced beyond their reach. You can take action to ensure families have access to affordable health insurance. An affordable Risk Pool can reduce the number of uninsured by providing an important insurance option for Texans with chronic health conditions.
The Risk Pool was Created to Cover Medically Uninsurable Texans…
The Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool (THIRP) was created to ensure those with pre-existing medical conditions who might otherwise be uninsured have a way to buy health insurance. The Texas Legislature chose this option to comply with the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The only alternative is to require insurance carriers to guarantee issuance of health policies to any individual regardless of health status.
… But Most Texans Can’t Afford the Risk Pool
Many middle-income Texans risk losing health coverage because the Risk Pool is too expensive; the high cost keeps many from even enrolling. How high is it? In Texas, the premium is twice the cost of the average individual market premium, not even taking deductibles and co-payments into account. Thirty-three states have health insurance Risk Pools; Texas is one of only three that set a premium this high for its citizens.
You Can Take Action to Help Texas Families
A sliding-scale discount for lower-income and certain middle-income families would make the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool affordable for more Texans. It would also reduce the number of uninsured, prevent devastating financial consequences for families and keep those with chronic illnesses healthier, thus preventing or forestalling costly long-term care.
Do your part for Texas families struggling to pay for health insurance.
Learn more about the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool, visit http://www.txhealthpool.com
Click here to follow the status of bills related to this issue.