By Ted Shaw, President/CEO, Texas Hospital Association
If there was ever a critical time to put a stake in the ground for Texas health care, it’s now. It’s a new year. There are major elections around the corner that will have a significant impact on health care. Plus, it’s a Census year, with the federal government launching its once-a-decade official calculation of the country’s population and demographics.
Health care is one of the most important issues for voters this year, and candidates who are elected to represent us will have to decide how, if at all, to address rising health care costs, barriers to access care, calls for Medicare for All, a federal solution to surprise billing and much more. The health care decisions they make will have lasting consequences or benefits for our work, patients and community. That’s why your vote in Texas’ March 3 primary election is absolutely necessary.
Our colleagues in health care are encouraged to educate themselves on the candidates and their positions and exercise their constitutional right and privilege to vote. The public officials we elect will make important decisions regarding health care policy and funding, and everyone has a vital role in choosing who gets to make these decisions.
In addition to key elections, the 2020 United States Census will occur in April and will determine billions of dollars in federal funding for health programs each year. The Census provides critical information that impacts many of the institutions that make up the backbones of our communities: hospitals, fire departments, schools, housing, roads and more.
This information even determines the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and is used to re-draw congressional and state legislative districts to more accurately reflect fluctuating population sizes.
The U.S. Census is especially important for Texas hospitals, affecting planning and funding for health care in our state. Examples of programs supported by this data include Medicaid, Medicare Part B, Children’s Health Insurance Program, Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, reproductive health programs, and the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.
Knowing where people live and work is an important part of having a strong health care infrastructure in which Texas communities can access timely care. An accurate Census count is not only a critical mechanism to help us secure federal funding, but also helps ensure we can efficiently reach patients where they are. Detailed population demographics help hospitals have more equitable access to health care, track social determinants of health and produce health data that is used to study service delivery and patient well-being.
On April 1, National Census Day, complete the Census for your home. Count everyone who lives there and take an active role in promoting the Census within Texas hospitals and your community.
Working together, we can make our collective voice heard. Participate in Texas’ primary election and vote for your hospitals, your communities and your patients. Ensure Texas is counted.