Nationwide, health care reform is a relevant topic. Health care affects humanity, communities, businesses, the economy and politics. More than ever, the discussion of health care reform is a hot button issue in Texas, where healthcare accounts for 13 percent of the state’s total economy.

That topic was the focal point of this morning’s Dallas Regional Chamber’s 2014 Healthcare Conference. Axxess was the Gold Sponsor of the event, themed ‘Building the Connection.’ It brought together concerned lawmakers and business executives in the health care industry for a discussion about the future of health care in Texas.

The focus was creating a sustainable health care system through use of billions of available federal dollars for the expansion of Medicare. Emphasized were the economical assistance needs of individuals and employers while reducing the rates of uncompensated health care. Current healthcare costs are stressing the Texas economy, with more and more uninsured individuals, seeking emergency care at hospitals because they cannot afford well visits and primary care physicians.

Lawmakers and healthcare business leaders voiced opinions, contributed ideas and concerns for the trajectory of the current systems and the plan to sustain economic growth in the state with the most uninsured people in the nation; one in every four Texans is uninsured.

Speakers included the esteemed Cindy Mann, Deputy Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; along with panel discussion members: Bo Ryall, CEO of Arkansas Hospital Association; Ted Shaw, CEO of Texas Hospital Association; and Royce West, Texas Senator.

Currently, taxpayers and hospitals are absorbing much of the cost of the uninsured. Expansion of  Medicaid services in Texas, will be voted on next Tuesday. While there will be no easy path, we are anticipating an on-going discussion that hopefully meets the needs of all Texans – individuals and employers alike.