Texas faces an impending crisis regarding the health of its population, which will profoundly influence the state’s competitive position nationally and globally. The health of Texas, economically, educationally, culturally and socially depends on the physical and mental health of its population. Quality of life for individual Texans and the communities in which they live depends critically upon health status. In the state, 25.1 percent of the population is without health insurance, the highest in the nation and growing. The increasing discrepancy between growing health needs and access to affordable health insurance coverage creates the conditions for a "perfect storm."
In view of these serious challenges, ten academic health institutions created the Task Force for Access to Health Care in Texas to address these issues. Task Force members also included small and large business employees, health care providers, insurers and consumers. All represented their own personal perspective and did not represent groups or organizations with which they are associated. Financial support for the project came solely from the academic health institutions. Below you will find their summary, the full report — Code Red: The Critical Condition of Health in Texas — and appendices.
Note: All documents on this page are Adobe Acrobat PDF files
Read the legislative summary 6 Pages (3.6 Megs)
Task Force Synopsis 4 Pages (Less than a Meg)
The Summary 56 Pages (4.1 Megs)
The Report 196 Pages (4.5 Megs)
The Appendices 335 Pages (1.7 Megs)
En Español:
Alerta Roja: El Resumen 53 Páginas (4.1 Megs)
Opening
Preface
Task Force Members
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 - Uninsured in Texas
Chapter 3 – Consequences of the Uninsured and Underinsured
Chapter 4 – Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program in Texas
Chapter 5 – State Regulation of Health Insurance
Chapter 6 – Analysis of Reform Options Developed by Other States
Chapter 7 – Local Initiatives for Expanded Care and Coverage
Chapter 8 – Trauma Care in Texas
Chapter 9 – Education and Health
Chapter 10 – Task Force Findings
Chapter 11 – Recommendations
Appendix A
Task Force Members and Staff Biosketches
Appendix B
Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program in Texas: History, Current Arrangements, and Options
David C. Warner, Lauren R. Jahnke, and Kristie Kimbell
Appendix C
An Analysis of Reform Options Developed by Other States
David C. Warner, Lauren R. Jahnke, and Kristie Kimbell
Appendix D
Local Initiatives to Expand Care and Coverage of the Uninsured
Charles Begley, Alpna Agrawal, and Heather Draper
Appendix E
Education and Health: A Review and Assessment
Nancy Murray, Luisa Franzini, Dritana Marko, Philip Lupo, Jr., Julie Garza, and Stephen Linder
Appendix F
State Regulation of Health Insurance: Implications for Health Care Access
Sara Rosenbaum
Appendix G
Emergency and Trauma Care in Texas: Assessment, Challenges, and Options
Charles Begley, Sharron Cox , Arlo Weltge, Cindy Gunn, and Munseok Seo
Appendix H
Brief: Consulate Clinic
Denise Sanchez
Appendix I
Common Abbreviations
Appendix J
Presenters
Appendix K
Provider Taxes: A Different Perspective
Richard Johnson, Jr. and Donna Kinney
