In an effort to address the need for affordable health insurance, especially for small businesses, the Indigent Care Collaboration (ICC) has convened a team of Central Texas business, community, and healthcare leaders to launch a new initiative to identify potential solutions.
The group recently launched a web based survey to seek input from small businesses throughout the region, whether they currently offer health insurance to their employees or not. The survey is available at:
http://www.healthcarece
The coalition includes Lone Star Circle of Care, Travis County Healthcare District, Seton Family of Hospitals, St. David's Healthcare Network, Austin Area Research Organization and the Shivers Cancer Foundation.
Approximately 17.9 % of the people in Central Texas lack sufficient health coverage, even though the majority of them are employed. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2003, Texas ranked 48th in the nation, with only 52.4 % of Texans having employer-sponsored health insurance coverage. Of the over 32,000 small businesses in the 6 county region of Central Texas, 40% are currently unable to offer their employees health insurance and most have not been able to for at least five years.
The survey was designed by the Indigent Care Collaboration after careful research and review of successful programs developed in other communities, including Access Health in Muskegon, Michigan; JaxCare Jacksonville, FL; and programs currently under development in Houston, Dallas, and Galveston.
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