“Ground Zero”

Waiting for George W. Bush to veto the children's health insurance bill made me think about health care in Texas.

Soon, all America will know that Texas is dead last in health. Last in insuring children, families, you name it. In fact, not a single Texas city even reaches the national average in citizens covered by health insurance—not Austin, not Dallas.

Take a look here at health facts in Texas today.

Sadly, my hometown of El Paso is dead last in a state that is dead last. Since so many people are talking about a national plan, I expect TV reporters to find us real soon. Being the ground zero of health care in America today is not something that makes us real proud.

Bad health care leads to bad results. Most people don’t know that high medical expenses are the leading cause of bankruptcy. If Texas is dead last in insuring children and families, Texas is bound to be dead last in credit scores. If Texas is dead last in credit scores, then Texas will be first in subprime lending. Sadly, that vicious cycle of despair is a reality for too many Texas families.

Last week I was over at New Mexico State talking to Mike Martin, the President of the university. He's an economist. During his studies of small towns in East Oregon, he investigated why Ashland did better that Smith.

Here is what he said: 'leadership is the most important differentiator. If you have it, you succeed. If you don't, you die."

Eight years ago, Texas senate blue ribbon committee on the uninsured did a study.  In Senate bill 10, from this session there is—what else—another study.  To study or to lead, that is the question.

In California, a Republican Governor is leading a movement to universal health care. Not here.  Is the Texas of today, the Texas you want to see tomorrow?

Please—for Texas’ sake—go vote!

Eliot Shapleigh