Since moving from Texas – the state where I was born and raised – to Boston late last year, I began conducting a small social experiment: I casually engage New England natives in conversations regarding their impressions of Texas as a state, population and, perhaps most significant if not delightfully intriguing, as perceived of having a unique jingoistic ethos. While my experiment is nowhere near its completion, I have developed some early findings and analysis, namely that most individuals who are not from Texas think of Texas and Texans as a land and population rife with catch phrases. The mere mention of the word Texas to a non-Texan produces a seemingly Pavlovian echoing of lines including but certainly not limited to, “I believe everything is bigger there,” or “I hear that is the state with which you do not mess.”
Be that as it may, I often worry that while Texas phrases may be catchy and somewhat pithy, Texas’ message remains muddled, if not mired and mostly misunderstood. Take, for example, the recent state Republican primary, which saw two-term incumbent Governor Rick Perry cruise to victory on a platform based upon a simple and direct, well…catchphrase…that went a little something like: “If it’s from Washington, we don’t want it!” Perry played the Texas Pride card, and played it so well that, according to a March 3, 2010, WBUR article titled Texas’ Anti-D.C. Fervor: Sign Of Things To Come?, “A recent poll showed that 82 percent of prospective Texas GOP primary voters agreed with the notion that the way the Lone Star State does things should be a model for other states.”
Now, I’m as full of Texas pride as the next Stetson wearing, BBQ eating, Alamo remembering, knee-slapping cowboy chanting for secession, but sometimes enough is enough. Something that definitely is bigger in Texas is the percentage of uninsured adults and children. In fact, at 6.1 million persons without health insurance, Texas has the largest rate of uninsured in the nation! Are things bigger in Texas? Yes! Are they better? Absolutely not! As a model for other states, Texas’ lone star does not shine as brightly in this regard compared to Massachusetts and the Bay State’s efforts to insure more than 97 percent of its inhabitants.
Why anyone in Texas would say “no” to health reform is beyond me. According to Texas Voice for Health Reform, a project of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, Texans would see a number of benefits occur immediately and over a short period of time after the passage and implementation of national health reform. Some notable benefits include prohibition of lifetime benefit caps in commercial insurance plans within six months from passage with annual caps restricted right away, and banned outright in 2014. Health reform also would prohibit pre-existing condition exclusions for children immediately, and ban all pre-existing condition exclusions by 2014. Texas has the 6th highest rate of rescissions – when insurers cancel health policies retroactively – in the nation. National health reform would prohibit rescissions except in cases of fraud. It also should be noted that Texas Voice for Health Reform estimates that 2.3 million of Texas’ uninsured population who live within 133-400% of the federal poverty level would qualify for premium assistance and out-of-pocket cost help, and up to 1.5 million Texans would qualify for expanded Medicaid coverage. I encourage anyone who wishes to know more about how national health reform is good for Texas to visit Texas Voice for Health Reform’s website.
I probably will never like the taste of chowder as much as I adore the zest of Tex-Mex, nor will I ever cheer for the Patriots over the Cowboys. Some things must be kept sacred. But I will encourage everyone I know back home to contact their Congressmen, Senators, newspapers, family and friends to let them know how important passage of national health reform is for Texas and the rest of the country. When it comes to an enormous and overwhelming rate of uninsured persons, it is perfectly OK, in this very singular instance, to mess with Texas.
PS – Go Red Sox!!
-Nick Almanza
“and the Bay States effort to insure more than 97 percent of its inhabitants.”
Nick,
Is that inhabitants or residents?
What’s an inhabitant?
What’s a resident?
And, is that Texas health reform site like this Massachusetts one, where there’s no mention of what’s in any bill that both houses might pass?
Texas Voice for Health Reform’s parent organization, the Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP), a Texas-based nonpartisan, non-profit advocacy organization, has on its website an audio “Webinar” that provides a comprehensive overview of the health reform bills. The link to the Webinar is here: http://cppp.org/events/event_details.php?eid=244. Also available on this page is a PowerPoint outline of various provisions in both the House and Senate bills, as well as specific provisions of the President’s proposal. Differences are color coded and highlighted. The link to the PowerPoint outline is here: http://cppp.org/events/files/Webinar%202%2024%2010%20combined.ppt.
Nick,
I’m a Texan–born & raised–and, though I’ve ventured outside of the great state for a few months, I cannot WAIT for my return. I am definitely guilty of Texas pride. At 22 years old, I have a lot of maturing to do and education to gain from life experiences. Thus, I’m hoping you can help me understand something.
You claim this outrageous figure of 6.1 million uninsured Texans which causes a reaction of hysteria–much like the one President Obama received in claiming there were 46 MILLION uninsured Americans whom, he claimed, lacked access to health insure.
However, upon furthur research, I find 3 very alarming facts. Of the 46 million uninsured:
1. 38% earn MORE than $50,000 per year.
2. 30% are, in fact, eligible for government programs but aren’t registered.
3. 25% ARE NOT EVEN U.S. CITIZENS.
I’m just wondering if the same would ring true for Texans.
The problem with the largest group of uninsured Americans is not a lack of access but a lack of planning and responsibility.
My response to your post is not about downplaying the problems with access to medical care in America but about bringing to light the NECESSARY facts to lead us to a more reasonable conclusion on the proper remedies for expanding access.
We couldn’t even begin to talk about the problems with the proposed legislation. Especially because of the fact that NO ONE truly knows what is in it. Yes, that is a reference to Speaker Pelosi’s comments a few days ago.
Do you have any idea what this will do to our health care system? I assume you will reply, yes…it means more Americans have access to care. But, do you truly understand the implications it will have on not only our standard of care but on our economy for future generations??
Will you give me your permission to use your healthcare blog/posting in an email I would like to send to my fellow Texan friends? Well written!