The TDP Supports Universal Healthcare, The Fiscally Conservative Choice

The Fiscal Advantages of Adopting Universal Healthcare in Texas

Now that the Texas Democratic Party (TDP) has adopted its platform, we can finally discuss its great additions. The platform aligns with what grassroots organizers have been pushing for. Which is a positive shift for the Party.

Why does the Texas Democratic Party Platform matter?

The TDP platform is more than just a collection of policy statements; it reflects the values and priorities that guide the party’s vision for a better Texas. The platform matters because it serves as a roadmap for Democratic candidates and elected officials. It provides clear guidance on the party’s policy goals and legislative priorities.

Of course, we’re a big-tent party, and the platform helps unify us around common objectives, making it easier to mobilize voters and advocate for change at both the state and local levels.

The platform's planks, like the one on healthcare, didn’t happen haphazardly. It’s a lengthy process that many people discussed and debated. From county conventions across the state to temporary and permanent committees, and then at the hands of the full state delegation, the language and ideas are picked apart mercilessly. The planks on the platform now got there because it’s what the majority wanted.

Universal healthcare is not just a progressive ideal. This plank reflects the will and needs of Texans across the state. Including universal healthcare in the TDP platform shows that the TDP is strongly aligned with the people's values and priorities. (It’s kind of a big deal.)

What does the Texas Democratic Party platform say exactly about universal healthcare?

This is the preamble of the Healthcare Plank (there’s more):

• First sentence: Healthcare is a fundamental human right.

• Second sentence: We support affordable, high-quality, universal healthcare, including moving towards publicly-funded healthcare.

Adopting a platform that includes universal healthcare as a central belief, the TDP shows its commitment to ensuring that every Texan has access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. This is not just a moral imperative but a fiscally responsible choice that can yield significant economic benefits for Texas.

First, where can you find the full platform (at the moment):

1. Starting from the Convention website,

2. Click on the link that says “Convention Reports,”

3. Then, click on “Platform Report and Consent Calendar.”

The Texas Democratic Party may take a few days, or as long as a week, to update its website with the new platform. Until then, the links above work.

If you’re interested in reading it, the Healthcare Planks also includes:

• Medicaid Expansion and Protection

• Reproductive Freedom, Personal Choices, and Abortion Access

• Preventive Healthcare

• Eliminating Health Disparities 

• Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services

We’ll definitely talk about all of these things in more detail soon.

Here is what else is included under the Texas Democratic Party Healthcare Plank under “Universal Affordable, Quality Healthcare:”

What do you know about healthcare in Texas?

Currently, over 17% of Texans do not have health insurance and, in many cases, healthcare access. In fact, Texas is dead last in America in terms of access to healthcare. But that doesn’t even begin to tell the whole story.

• Black and Hispanic Texans are more likely to be uninsured compared to their white counterparts. Approximately 24% of Hispanic adults and 14% of Black adults are uninsured, compared to 10% of white adults.

• According to the Commonwealth Fund’s 2023 State Scorecard, Texas is one of the lowest-performing states in terms of health system performance, including measures of access, quality, and health outcomes.

• Texas also struggles with high rates of maternal and infant mortality. The maternal mortality rate in Texas is higher than the national average, particularly among Black and Hispanic women. Infant mortality rates are also high, with significant disparities based on race and ethnicity.

• Many Texans with mental health needs do not receive adequate care, with cost and lack of providers being significant barriers. The state ranks low in terms of mental health service accessibility and outcomes.

All of that is just the tip of the iceberg. This is what 30 years of Republican rule looks like. Democrats will eventually take back control and fix everything the GOP broke.

Why Universal Healthcare is the Fiscally Conservative Option.

Universal healthcare emphasizes preventive care and early intervention, which can reduce the need for more expensive emergency care and chronic disease management. The system can prevent costly complications by catching health issues early. Studies show that preventive care saves money in the long run by reducing the incidence of severe health problems and hospital admissions.

A single-payer system will significantly reduce administrative costs. The US healthcare system spends much more on administrative costs than other high-income countries with universal healthcare. Streamlining administrative processes can lead to substantial savings. For instance, administrative costs account for about 25% of total hospital spending in the US, compared to much lower percentages in countries like Canada and the UK.

Ensuring access to healthcare for all residents can lead to a healthier workforce, boosting productivity and the GDP. Healthy employees are more productive, take fewer sick days, and are less likely to suffer from chronic conditions that can impede their work performance.

Due to its larger bargaining power, a single-payer system can negotiate better prices for pharmaceuticals and medical services. Countries with universal healthcare often pay significantly less for prescription drugs than the US because their governments can negotiate prices directly with manufacturers.

Further reading:

• From the American Medical Association: A Single-Payer System Would Reduce U.S. Health Care Costs

• Public Citizen: FACT CHECK: Medicare for All Would Save the U.S. Trillions

• The Hill: 22 studies agree: ‘Medicare for All’ saves money

At the end of the day, this issue has been studied and scrutinized, and Hill’s article above says, “22 studies agree.”

The only people who don’t agree that a universal healthcare option will save us money are bad actors like the Heritage Foundation and the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

And you have to remember that these are the same people who wrote Project 2025. They aren’t looking out for the best will of the people, only their billionaire, fundamental donors.

The consensus is out. Universal healthcare will save us money and make us a healthy and productive society. The only people who benefit from our current healthcare system are wealthy CEOs.

It should also be noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes healthcare as a fundamental human right. Ensuring everyone has access to necessary healthcare services without financial hardship is social justice’s core principle.

By advocating for a healthcare system that prioritizes preventive care and public policy rooted in science, the TDP is positioning itself as a leader in the fight for a more equitable and sustainable healthcare system.

How do we achieve this?

First, it involves getting Democrats elected up and down the ballot. There are ways to do this on the federal and state levels. Now that we have positions on the Texas Democratic Platform, we know what the people want, as do lawmakers.

When, not if, but when, Texas flips; remember that includes 38 Congressional seats.

The last two times Democrats have held the US House, they have held hearings regarding universal healthcare:

• 2019: Medicare-for-all advocates get their first hearing on Capitol Hill

• 2022: Examining Pathways to Universal Health Coverage

Two “Medicaid For All” bills are wasting away in the 118th Congress. Unfortunately, Democrats don’t have the numbers to pass this session, which is why getting them help in both chambers is so important. (That means you have to vote.)

Here are the bills:

• H.R.3421 - Medicare for All Act, by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. Six Texas Democrats have already cosponsored this bill. Should we take back control of Congress next year, we should expect they will cosponsor similar legislation. Those six Democrats are:

  • Greg Casar

  • Jasmine Crockett

  • Lloyd Doggett

  • Veronica Escobar

  • Al Green

  • Shiela Jackson Lee

• S.1655 - Medicare for All Act, by Senator Bernie Sanders. Since our two Texas Senators are Republicans, they have obviously not cosigned this bill.

Sometimes, bills in Congress take a long time to pass. The fact that universal healthcare is filed in every congressional session with more than 100 cosponsors speaks volumes. All it will take is having enough supporters of universal healthcare in each chamber to pass.

Then there’s always the state option if Congress keeps being weighed down by Republicans. States like California, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, and Illinois have already passed state laws toward affordable and accessible healthcare access.

You’re thinking, “In Texas? Yeah, right.”

Obviously, this isn’t something we could do at the state level until we remove Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick and control both chambers of the Texas Legislature. Maybe we’ll have the numbers by 2030, maybe sooner. But that takes consistent voting in every election and not sitting out in the midterms.

The first step has been taken. Texas Democrats have declared this part of their platform. Now, it’s up to us to elect people who hold these same principles and will work to make them a reality.

Ensuring that every Texan has access to high-quality, affordable healthcare will build a more equitable, just, and economically sound society. The Texas Democratic Party’s commitment to universal healthcare reflects a deep understanding of these principles and a dedication to making them a reality.

The journey to universal healthcare is a collective effort that requires persistence, solidarity, and unwavering commitment. Vote early, vote often, just vote.

• 148 days left until the November 5 election!

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In essence, the Texas Democratic Party platform matters because it represents a bold and progressive vision for the future of Texas. It is a statement of the party's values and a call to action for all Texans who believe in the fundamental right to healthcare. By supporting universal healthcare, the TDP is not only advocating for a more just and equitable society but also making a fiscally responsible choice that can lead to a healthier and more prosperous Texas for all.