Today’s Austin American Statesman ran an article drawing attention to the record high price of health insurance in Texas. The article points out that the price of health insurance premiums rose 40% from 2001-2005, the third highest rate in the country. And as if that weren’t troubling enough, the article goes on to explain that over that same five-year span, the state’s median income increased by a mere 4%, meaning that the cost of health insurance is climbing 10 times faster than the state’s average income.
The Statesman attributes the skyrocketing health insurance premiums to expensive medical technology, unhealthy lifestyles, and an aging population. It also adds that there isn’t enough outreach for government programs. In actuality, the fault lies with government policies that restrict innovation in health care, mandates that inflate the price of health insurance, and broad government programs that encourage people drop private coverage.
– Kalese Hammonds