Group of Doctors Find a Solution for Health Cover for People Who Fall into the Coverage Gap

Doctors for Social Responsibility which is a group of doctors in the area where they have spearheaded a way to provide health care coverage for those who fall into an insurance coverage gap.Doctors for Social Responsibility have come up with a solution called "Texas Way."

"The enrollees are going to have to come up with some co-pays, they're going to have to make contributions to health savings accounts, and so it depends on how it's implemented," said Dr. Jaime Estrada, president of Doctors for Social Responsibility. Estrada – a part of health care leaders joined by Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, who revealed their plan during a press conference at the Bexar County Courthouse Wednesday morning.

There are people who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford subsidies and pay premiums on their own and those who cannot pay their own premiums – these people fall into the insurance coverage gap which is a problem that strongly affects the working poor.

"That gap is about 100,000 folks in Bexar County," said George Hernandez, president and CEO of University Health System. "That's a lot."

Doctors say a big concern is the fact that those without insurance don't tend to get proper health care and often go to hospitals instead.

"Getting medical care only in the emergency room means that chronic conditions go untreated, with no follow-up or preventive medical attention until their next crisis visit to the emergency room," said Estrada.

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Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry had rejected the use of federal funds for a state insurance plan, but the group is hopeful that the present Gov. Greg Abbott may think differently.

“We did hear remarks from our governor awhile back that he's interested in hearing about it, which is a big step above our previous governor, so we'll see if anything comes of it,” Wolff said.

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Source: Eileen Gonzales

Source-Medindia