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The Business of Health Care Report
Today, 45 million Americans lack health insurance. Texas, unfortunately, has the largest proportion of uninsured people in the country – with 5.3 million. That’s one of every four residents. And the uninsured are not just
the unemployed or homeless. The largest segment of uninsured people have jobs – but no
health insurance. What do uninsured people do when
they need health care? Often they delay seeking care because they’re concerned about the
out-of-pocket cost. That delay can lead to them becoming sicker, making treatment more
expensive. When they do seek care, they often turn to the hospital’s emergency department,
which is the most expensive place to get treatment. Who makes up the shortfall
when the uninsured can’t pay? In Texas, nonprofit hospitals are required to provide charity
care equal to a specific percentage of patient revenue. In addition to providing charity care to
those who cannot pay, Texas Health Resources hospitals, and most other nonprofits, have
financial assistance available to help those who can pay some but not all of their expenses. Since its founding in 1997,
Texas Health Resources hospitals have provided more than $450 million in charity care and
community benefit to the financially and medically indigent in North Texas. THR hospitals
work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to care for patients – regardless of their ability to
pay. For Texas Health Resources and its faith-based hospitals – Harris Methodist, Presbyterian and Arlington Memorial – I’m
Doug Hawthorne.
©
2005 Texas Health Resources |
I'm Doug Hawthorne, President and CEO of Texas Health Resources, with
"The Business of Health Care Report."