Need for Texas Health Insurance Is Worst in the Nation
In 2008, Texas fell from 37th to 46th on the United Health Foundation’s ranking of the states based on healthcare statistics. According to the Houston Chronicle, Texas is among the states that are best prepared to respond to a public health emergency, but this is the same state that has the highest percentage of residents surviving with no Health Insurance in Texas.
Ironically, literally hundreds of Texas Health Insurance Plans are available, including plans from Aetna, Assurant, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Celtic, Humana, and United Healthcare. The largest health insurance providers in Texas have also added mail delivery of prescription medications to make it easier for members to obtain many of the most common maintenance medications for conditions like diabetes and heart problems. Aetna, Anthem, and Humana are providing these mail-order prescriptions.
A Critical Shortage of Nurses in Texas Is Met with New Nursing Programs
In addition to a lack of Health Insurance for Texas residents, a critical shortage of nurses has been a problem. This nursing shortage is being challenged in South Texas with plans to graduate more nurses at all educational levels.
The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio plans to transform nursing education thanks to the largest donation that their School of Nursing has received in its 40-year history. Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas Inc. gave .9 million to fund new nursing education.
A co-owner in Methodist Healthcare System, Methodist Healthcare Ministries is the largest faith-based, not-for-profit, private funding source for health care services to low-income families, and those without health insurance in Southern Texas.
Hiring and supporting qualified nursing faculty had been a problem at the university since many faculty members were retiring, and state dollars failed to cover the university’s expenses. The university plans to use .7 million of the donation for faculty and curriculum specialists, and to teach three new nursing degree programs.
One such program will be an accelerated bachelor’s degree in nursing for students who currently have a bachelor’s degree in a different field. This program starts in May of this year, and has 70 students. A second program, an accelerated online master’s degree for nurses with an associate’s degree in nursing, begins next January in 2011 with 46 students. That same month, the university is also starting a doctorate in nursing practice with 10 students.
When fully implemented, these new programs will help the school admit an additional 20 traditional undergraduate students, 70 accelerated undergraduate students, 46 additional master’s students, and 10 doctoral students.
New Hospital Opens in Dallas Area
The recent opening of Methodist McKinney Hospital exemplifies the need for nurses in Texas. Methodist McKinney Hospital is a 65,000-square-foot project in the Dallas area. The new hospital offers comprehensive diagnostic imaging with CT and MRI services, six operating rooms, and 15 private patient rooms.
The hospital will also offer a wide range of physician specialties, such as general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, otolaryngology, pain management, and primary care. Within a year, the division also expects to begin taking patients at another million hospital in the Dallas-area.
Health Insurance for Texas Residents Needed to Benefit From New Hospital
Health Insurance Quotes for Texas can be found online along with contact numbers to reach expert advisors who can answer questions about how the available plans fit individual needs. Short-term and student health plans are available online, too, for temporary situations.
By Wiley Long – President, eTXHealthinsurance.com – Texas’s leading independent online health insurance agency specializing in individual and family Texas Health Insurance plans. Get an online Texas Health Insurance quote, compare plans, apply online, and Save!
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