A new report puts Texas among the worst in the U.S. for state health care services and delivery. State officials say officials say they’re working on improvements.
The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality issued the scorecard as part of a national review of state health care programs.
Texas ranked weak or very weak in nine out of 12 categories. The state was rated “good” in maternal and child health care delivery.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission says the report includes services far beyond the state’s Medicaid program. But the Commission’s Stephanie Goodman says the ratings reinforce the need for improving access to preventive care. She says last year Texas received approval for a new way to help fund innovative, local health care projects through regional partnerships of hospitals and other health care providers. The regional plans to expand access to preventive services and reduce expensive emergency room care are due September 1st.
Currently, Texas offers one of the most limited health care programs in the nation for the poor and disabled. And the state has the highest rate of uninsured – 25%.
