Below is the HillCo client report from the October 21 SB 1367 Improving Access to Coverage stakeholder meeting.
A stakeholder meeting was held to discuss the current situation with improving access to coverage through provisions of SB 1367 (83R).
- Texas Department of Insurance requested public comment on concepts for using funds allocated to TDI under SB 1367 to improve access to coverage in Texas
- After provisions of the Affordable Care Act were implemented, the Texas Health Insurance Pool was no longer necessary
- Funds from that pool were directed to TDI but cannot be used until legislative action is taken
- In August, $64.4 million was transferred from the pool to TDI
- Feedback has been received from stakeholders and was centered around a general lack of health insurance literacy
- Two recommendations have been developed by TDI so far
- An online resource center for the uninsured;
- Grants to improve access to coverage
- Asking for ideas regarding matching fund grants to improve access
Public Comment
- The online resource should be focused on definitions and the basics of the insurance market
- Community outreach may work better than an online resource
- TDI should ask for assistance from HHSC in how to effectively reach low-income populations; they do this all the time with Medicaid and CHIP
- Public service announcements may be a good idea
- May want to consider giving money to people to enroll in the marketplace with the intent to wean them off little by little; may be a better way to improve coverage