With almost 560 state employees per 10,000 Texas residents, the increasing cost of health insurance benefits means state lawmakers must allocate considerable funding for these benefits. While health insurance benefits are an appropriate benefit for state employees, there are things lawmakers can do to help control these costs.
Health Care
Pain Has a Price: The Hidden Costs of Insurer-Controlled Care
“You can’t come in for your steroid injections without scheduling an extra appointment because your insurance isn’t paying us enough.” That’s what I was told at my most recent visit to an orthopedic surgeon I’ve seen for years. I expected relief from my pain, not a surprise medical bill—or as I learned later, “cost-shifting.” My...
July 21, 2025