Ensuring Affordable Health Care and Solving the Doctor Shortage

While Texas is known for its immense economic prosperity, our healthcare system still faces challenges that, if addressed, can make freedom even BIGGER in Texas. Hospitals are being reimbursed three times the rate of private practices for providing the same services. This preferential treatment is distorting the marketplace, leading to higher costs for patients and enabling hospitals to buy out private practices, and driving up costs.  

So how do we fix it? We believe hospitals and private practices should be reimbursed equally for the same service, regardless of the setting. This site-neutral payment system will level the playing field, promote fair competition, and focus on the quality of care rather than where the service is provided. Patients will pay less, and the healthcare system will become more sustainable, expanding access to affordable care for all Texans. 

Texas is experiencing a growing doctor shortage, particularly in rural areas. This issue worsens every year as doctors retire faster than new medical school graduates can replace them. Texas can solve this problem by reforming the residency program. We propose that if a medical school graduate does not match with a residency program, they be placed in underserved areas where their medical knowledge and talent are desperately needed. This four-year commitment would serve as their residency, allowing them to treat patients and contribute to Texas’ healthcare system rather than wasting their education. 

Sign this petition to call on Texas lawmakers to implement site-neutral payments to reduce healthcare costs and address the doctor shortage by reforming the residency program. Together, these changes will make freedom bigger in Texas by promoting fair competition, expanding access to healthcare, and ensuring that every Texan receives quality care, regardless of where they live. 

Legislative Advertising authorized by Herb Ford, AFP-TX, 1020 E. Levee St, Ste. 170, Dallas, TX 75207