Cook Children's Raises Alarm Over Health Care Access Crisis for Texan Children

In a recent statement, Cook Children's Health Care System expressed serious concerns about a potential crisis that jeopardizes health care access for millions of vulnerable children across Texas. The alarming figures reveal that approximately 1.8 million children and pregnant women may be affected, including 125,000 within the service area of Cook Children’s Health Plan in Tarrant County.

This situation is particularly dire for children with complex medical needs, as it threatens vital coverage for over 10,000 young individuals, among which are 170 who depend on ventilators and 1,700 who require the use of wheelchairs. The implications of such disruptions extend beyond personal health; they pose significant risks to the local economy, potentially leading to the loss of 400 jobs in Tarrant County and up to 2,000 jobs statewide tied to Texas-based children's health plans.

Despite hopeful legislative efforts earlier this session, including initiatives introduced by Representative Charlie Geren and Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, recent inaction raises alarms about the likelihood of resolution during this legislative term, with a critical deadline looming on June 2, 2025.

At the core of this crisis lies a flawed procurement process conducted by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). This process has seemingly favored large, out-of-state for-profit health plans at the expense of long-established local providers like Cook Children’s, Driscoll Children’s Hospital, and Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. These Texas institutions have demonstrated a consistent track record of delivering high-quality care and achieving favorable patient outcomes while maintaining strong satisfaction among patients and providers.

The failure of HHSC’s procurement strategy has not only overlooked important metrics such as past performance and quality of care but has also led to a troubling situation that could exacerbate health disparities among Texas children. The ramifications of continued inaction could result in extensive legal battles, alongside the threat of disrupting crucial health care services that countless families depend upon.

Why has decisive action not yet been taken? This urgent situation demands immediate answers. For over 107 years, Cook Children's has remained steadfast in its mission to prioritize the health and well-being of the children it serves. This unwavering dedication pushes the organization to advocate tirelessly on behalf of affected children and their families, given that the stakes are too high to accept anything less than immediate intervention.

State leaders have a narrow window of opportunity—just 24 days—to halt this unjust procurement process and protect Texas children by ensuring that investments are made in local, proven health care providers. Failure to overturn the current HHSC contract awards could drain millions of dollars from Texas, ultimately benefiting out-of-state corporations rather than the children and communities that local nonprofits serve. Cook Children's asserts that they reinvest $200 million annually within the community, underscoring their commitment.

Local leaders are thus called upon to address this inequity in the procurement process, as the health and stability of the state’s healthcare framework hang in the balance. The exclusion of dedicated children's health plans from the decision-making process raises substantial questions—why prioritize external entities over local Texan interests?

As deadlines approach, the urgency for action intensifies. Cook Children's demands that Texas leaders prioritize the well-being of children and ensure that Texas-based health plans are not overlooked in favor of distant, profit-driven interests. It is crucial to act now, for the health of Texas children and their future hangs in the balance.