Gov. Rick Perry, readying to do battle with Democrat Bill White in
the November election, alighted from his throne in Austin and came to the Rio Grande Valley to heal the sick.Billed as Operation Lone Star and "an annual effort that not only brings much needed medical care to the citizens of South Texas it also puts our medical responders through their paces," Perry joined local dignitaries and applauded their effort as "a tangible manifestation of that time-honored Texas tradition of neighbor helping neighbor."
That may well be, but in a recent USA study, we learn that our Good Ol' State is also a leader in more ways than one.
Nationally, more than 15% are uninsured.
In Texas it's nearly 28%, the Census Bureau says, the highest percentage among the states. In Harris County (Houston), it's 30%, according to state figures, the highest rate among the nation's top 10 metropolitan areas.
As the Houston area struggles to deal with a rising tide of uninsured, it offers a lesson for the nation: Let the problem get out of hand — to a point where nearly 1 in 3 people have no coverage — and you won't just have a less healthy population. You'll have an overwhelmed health care system.
"Texas is the case study for system implosion," says neurosurgeon Guy Clifton, founder of the Houston-area group Save Our ERs.
And here's more from that same article:
Income limits to qualify for Medicaid, the federal-state
As the Houston area struggles to deal with a rising tide of uninsured, it offers a lesson for the nation: Let the problem get out of hand — to a point where nearly 1 in 3 people have no coverage — and you won't just have a less healthy population. You'll have an overwhelmed health care system.
"Texas is the case study for system implosion," says neurosurgeon Guy Clifton, founder of the Houston-area group Save Our ERs.
And here's more from that same article:
Income limits to qualify for Medicaid, the federal-state
health insurance program for the poor and disabled, are among the lowest in the nation here. Texas has set a limit of $4,822 per year for a family of three, compared with nearly $10,000 in Florida, $18,000 in California and $25,000 in New York. Texas has no subsidized health insurance program for childless adults; 19 states and the District of Columbia offer some coverage.
The state has forfeited more than $900 million in federal money under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) during the past six years because it wouldn't put up 28 cents for each 72 cents in federal aid.
The state has forfeited more than $900 million in federal money under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) during the past six years because it wouldn't put up 28 cents for each 72 cents in federal aid.
Restrictions put in place in 2003 cut about 200,000 children from the program in a state with the highest percentage of uninsured children, nearly twice the national average. "It's a horrible scandal," says Jeffrey Starke, chief of pediatrics at Ben Taub.
Still believe that neighbor-to-neighbor helping hands will do the trick just as the Guv told believers at Juliet Garcia Middle School?
Among the states, Texas has the highest percentage of uninsured adults — 27.6% — who say they are in poor or fair health, rather than good or excellent health, the American Hospital Association says.
Even when the uninsured see doctors, they often can't afford drugs.
Still believe that neighbor-to-neighbor helping hands will do the trick just as the Guv told believers at Juliet Garcia Middle School?
Among the states, Texas has the highest percentage of uninsured adults — 27.6% — who say they are in poor or fair health, rather than good or excellent health, the American Hospital Association says.
Even when the uninsured see doctors, they often can't afford drugs.
"You prescribe, you send them home, they don't get well," says Efrain Garcia, a cardiologist who volunteers at San Jose. "They die sooner. They have more complications. They are more disabled."
And just in case you still swallow Perry's election-year sojourn south to extend his helping hand to the poor and allow them to kiss the hem of his tailored slacks, check this out.
Texas ranks 49th in terms of its Medicaid reimbursement rates. In fact, many health providers routinely shun Medicaid patients because they know the government will shortchange them on payment for services rendered. And further cuts in these rates are on the way. This is a prescription for disaster.
But the Guv looked good (he always looks good, don't he?). He came to wow the peasants and if the news coverage is any indication, he did.
And just in case you still swallow Perry's election-year sojourn south to extend his helping hand to the poor and allow them to kiss the hem of his tailored slacks, check this out.
Texas ranks 49th in terms of its Medicaid reimbursement rates. In fact, many health providers routinely shun Medicaid patients because they know the government will shortchange them on payment for services rendered. And further cuts in these rates are on the way. This is a prescription for disaster.
But the Guv looked good (he always looks good, don't he?). He came to wow the peasants and if the news coverage is any indication, he did.
4 comments:
It takes a Village, of pendejos.
Cannon fodder or fodder for the capitalist medical system, we all have a role to play.
"Que viva el pedo, y que CSM el amor!"
joe
When Mexicans learn to live WITHOUT government aid, then and only then will they be free of the White Man's bullshit. You take something free from someone; you allow that someone to brand you inferior. When, my poor, poor Mexicans?
The dignataries included John Wood, Eddie Lucio and others at this event and it was laughable watching these two political whores kissing the Governor's ass. Wood was pathetic. Trying to get into every photo shot possible and attempting to have people believe he is somebody. A true hypocrite after he has publicly endorsed Bill White. Same thing for Lucio. A bunch of opportunistic leaches.
I think Sofia Benavides and Virginia Wood were on todays VMS.
Benavides is an idiot, and Wood is using her to promote her husbands agenda.
Eddie Lucio, is nothing but a leach in disguise. But the damn local papers won't expose him for what he is a fraud. And the local tv stations down here are complicit to the politicians behaviors.
Post a Comment