STATEMENT: Hinojosa on Greg Abbott’s Healthcare Record
Austin, TX – Today, Greg Abbott is releasing a healthcare plan for Texas – three months ahead of Election Day and over a decade into his administration. In response, Democratic nominee for Governor Gina Hinojosa released the following statement:
“If Greg Abbott wanted to lower healthcare costs for Texans, he would’ve done it in the twelve years he’s been Governor. Texas has the highest number of uninsured people and the most rural hospital closures in the country. Abbott has no credibility here as health insurance premiums continue to skyrocket, and an election-year stunt won’t solve problems for Texans who aren’t getting the care they need. As Governor, I will fight to make sure every Texas child has quality healthcare, hold profiteering healthcare companies accountable by banning bad-faith denials, and strengthen our rural hospital system.”
Under Greg Abbott’s leadership:
- Texas has the highest number of uninsured residents and children in the entire country, with 5.1 million Texans lacking health insurance, including 1.1 million Texas children who are uninsured.
- Texas leads the nation in rural hospital closures: 21 shuttered, 76 at risk, and 12 on the immediate brink.
- 71 Texas counties currently operate with zero hospitals.
- ACA premiums have risen 35% – or $172 a month – for individuals, causing the first-ever decrease in enrollment as 900,000 Texans either canceled their plan or did not pay their first premium payment.
- In Texas, the bad faith denial rate for HealthCare.gov issuers ranged from 12% to 36%.
New polling shows the governor’s race within 3 points, because Texans know they deserve better than Abbott’s broken record – and they are fired up to make change and put Gina Hinojosa in the Governor’s mansion this November.