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(AUSTIN, Texas – April 7, 2021) – The following is a statement from Ted Shaw, Texas Hospital Association president/CEO, on Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan’s plan to address health care issues during the 2021 legislative session.
“We couldn’t agree more that Texans should have access to the best health care services possible, and we are pleased to see a significant, bipartisan spotlight on the issue this session. The package outlined by Texas House lawmakers makes major strides to increase access to and affordability, choice and quality of health care services. Texas hospitals wholeheartedly support these principles. We are particularly encouraged by the special attention paid to address health equity and improve coverage for children, postpartum mothers and prescription drugs. Expanding telemedicine and broadband services also will go a long way to increase access to care in rural communities and for vulnerable Texans.
In addition to these improvements, Texas hospitals will continue to push for an even broader effort to fully expand health care coverage for low wage working Texans. Increasing the number of Texans with affordable, comprehensive health care coverage is the key to a strong workforce and even stronger economy. The House package is a fundamental step toward a healthier Texas, and our hospitals want to build on this momentum. Now is the time to address the coverage gap in Texas and use billions in federal funding to do it.”
Read more about Texas hospitals’ support of health care coverage expansion from www.tha.org/coverage.
About THA
Founded in 1930, the Texas Hospital Association is the leadership organization and principal advocate for the state’s hospitals and health care systems. Based in Austin, THA enhances its members’ abilities to improve accessibility, quality and cost-effectiveness of health care for all Texans. One of the largest hospital associations in the country, THA represents 452 of the state’s non-federal general and specialty hospitals and health care systems, which employ some 400,000 health care professionals statewide. Learn more about THA at www.tha.org or follow THA on Twitter at https://twitter.com/texashospitals.