9/16/2024 –
Executive Summary
Rising Health Care Costs and Declining Outcomes: A Call to Action for Texas
The unsustainable escalation of health care costs, coupled with declining health outcomes, is diminishing the value of our health care investments. With nearly $50 billion in annual health care expenditures, Texas has a unique opportunity to enhance the value of its spending by increasing its investment in non-medical services that significantly impact health outcomes.
In recent years, the Texas Legislature and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) have taken steps to advance the integration of health-impacting, non-medical services into health care delivery. However, several additional policy tools are available to the state that could further accelerate this integration, and both the Legislature and the HHSC should actively deploy them.
This report delves into Texas’ investments in non-medical services, presents policy options for advancing this work, and provides examples from other states. It concludes with recommendations on pathways for Texas to consider, with the aim of maximizing the value of its health care expenditures…
