1.8 Million Texans Risk Losing Their Health Insurer If Lawmakers Fail to Act

Over 125,000 families in North Texas might have to switch their current healthcare coverage if legislators do not intervene.

In March 2024, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission revealed their intention to terminate the Cook Children's non-profit Health Plan, alongside Texas Children's and Driscoll Children's plans. Instead of these, they plan to grant Medicaid contracts to various nationwide, for-profit insurance providers.

Karen Love, who leads the Cook Children's Health Plan, questioned why the state would revoke contracts from Texas-based firms only to hand them over to national entities, adding that this could result in profits flowing out of the state of Texas. She emphasized the importance of retaining these funds within Texas so individuals such as herself can sustain their investment in the well-being of their local community.

Cook Children's is collaborating with state legislators on proposals aimed at reviving the children’s hospital initiatives statewide and modifying the procedures for future projects. Nevertheless, time is running short as only four weeks remain in this legislative session.

As they have done before, the legislature has expressed their intentions," Love stated. "Now, they simply need to do so in this instance as well.

Should legislators fail to take action, Cook Children’s asserts that 1.8 million kids and expectant mothers throughout Texas would have to switch their health insurance coverage. This group encompasses approximately 125,000 youngsters from North Texas enrolled in the Cook Children’s Health Plan.

It seems unfair to eliminate this plan because it penalizes families who are already struggling with their daily lives," stated Liz Pinon, whose children are part of the Cook Children's Health Plan. "While my own kids might manage just fine, there are countless others who won’t fare well without it. Many families could suffer as a result.

The triplet children of Pinon have been under the care of Cook Children's Medical Center since their infancy, each facing intricate health requirements.

I have a daughter who uses a wheelchair," Pinon stated. "My son requires a feeding tube. Both of them also face mental health challenges.

She mentions that managing all their appointments and care has become much simpler since switching to the Cook Children's Health Plan roughly seven years back. This pediatric health network has administered Medicaid coverage for critically ill children, disadvantaged families, and expectant mothers for over two decades now.

"The Cook Children's Health Plan has provided us with the resources so that my children aren’t merely getting by, but instead flourishing and enjoying a healthy life," stated Pinon.

As the legislative session comes to an end, she wishes legislators consider her family and countless others who might face difficulties if the Medicaid contracts are awarded to profit-driven, non-local businesses.

These are households where people might be juggling two or even three jobs simply to afford rent and food, along with childcare and everything else," Love explained. "Having to search for and select a different plan, familiarize themselves with a new service coordinator, possibly switch healthcare providers—this kind of upheaval isn’t needed for these families once they've clearly expressed their preferences.

Should state legislators fail to enact a law addressing this issue, Cook Children’s Hospital plans to keep up its legal challenge against the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Last autumn, the hospital secured a temporary restraining order against the agency. Currently, a trial is scheduled for November.