A perfect match between Texas business and Democrats

By Steve Brown

When the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in March 2010, its authors had states like Texas in mind.

Texas is unique in that it’s the only state that has the most advanced, but least accessible medical systems in the nation (if not world).

The number of uninsured Texans has overwhelmed our healthcare infrastructure and economics for the last two decades.

The ACA reduces skyrocketing health costs by increasing access to health insurance. By doing so, the uninsured would be able to receive quality preventive care to help them manage and early diagnose chronic illness instead of receiving expensive primary care in emergency rooms. The costs associated with uncompensated care are paid for by local tax payers, employers and the insured. One emergency room visit by an uninsured patient costs $1300. Multiply that by 5 million uninsured Texans, and you’ve just stumbled upon Texas’ Health Care crisis.

All Texans would benefit from health care reform – and that includes Texas businesses.

As such, both the Texas Democratic Platform and resolutions passed by business groups throughout the state support efforts to increase funding for Medicaid eligible populations. For instance, this past legislative session, the Greater Houston Partnership advocated for billions being spent from the Rainy Day Fund for Medicaid.

That’s why it was shocking when Gov. Rick Perry announced that he planned to reject the Medicaid expansion components of the bill when it’s rolled out in 2014.

Perry’s overblown disdain for President Barack Obama is laying the foundation for Texas Democrats and small businesses to build a long overdue relationship.

Think about it.

Businesses will lose billions if Texas’ tax dollars are allowed to care and treat the sick in other states. According to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, “From 2014-2019, for the roughly $6 billion that Texas contributes, the state would receive $76 billion in Medicaid funds for patient care, hospitals and health provider services.” That type of infusion of resources in our local economy would have a dynamic impact on business in and around the health care sector.

All businesses stand to gain from the passage of ACA. Small businesses will receive tax credits, physicians and hospitals will be compensated for the care they deliver and major employers will see health-related costs stabilize. Texas Democrats grasp these policy improvements, and could work with the business community to ensure that the implementation of health care reform matches the intent.

Healthcare isn’t the only area where we agree.

We also agree with Texas businesses on fully funding public education, as we both agree that our state’s future prosperity depends on an educated workforce of critical thinkers. Democrats and business leaders also support increased funding for the state’s decaying infrastructure which includes transportation, transit and our diminishing water supply.

Adequate state funding allows for leveraging federal resources and decreasing local property taxes. It just makes fiscal sense.

Oddly, last month Governor Perry stood with business leaders supporting a pact to continue underfunding the state’s fiscal priorities. Those leaders were well aware that this “pact” worked against their long term interests and common sense – but they stood with him anyway.

Texas Democrats and Texas businesses, big and small alike, share a number of mutual goals. What’s best for our state is for us to stop pretending that we don’t, and start standing together for Texas’ future.

Steve Brown is the Chairman of the Fort Bend County Democratic Party. Connect with Steve on Facebook at facebook.com/sbrown2 and on Twitter at twitter.com/electstevebrown.