top of page

Texas Healthcare Independence Initiative

A plan to lower medical costs, protect rural hospitals, and give Texans transparency and independence in healthcare.

Why Texas Needs This Healthcare Initiative

Texas families are paying some of the highest medical prices in the country, even when they have insurance. Hospitals are struggling to stay open, especially in rural areas, and medical supply costs continue to rise with no transparency. Texans are being charged different prices for the exact same care, and no one knows the real cost of anything. This system burdens families, employers, teachers, seniors, and veterans.

Texas can do better. Healthcare should be predictable, stable, and affordable for every Texan. This initiative rebuilds the system around transparency and independence, giving Texans protection from inflated prices and runaway costs.

​​

​​

​​

​​

The Problem We Must Solve

Texas does not control its medical costs. Every hospital, clinic, and provider pays different prices for the same supplies, drugs, and equipment. Companies sell medical items at massive markups, sometimes many times higher than their true cost. Families receive surprise bills, hidden fees, and unpredictable charges. Insurance companies negotiate prices that Texans never see or understand.

Meanwhile, rural hospitals are closing across the state because they cannot afford supplies or staffing. Emergency rooms are overloaded. Texans drive hours for basic care. Large corporations and out-of-state suppliers profit while Texas families pay the price.

This initiative addresses the problem at its root by stabilizing hospital supply chains, eliminating price markups, and giving Texans a clear and predictable medical cost structure.




 

The Texas Healthcare Solution

Texas can lower medical costs, stabilize hospitals, and protect families by reorganizing the system around transparency and predictable pricing. Instead of allowing corporations to set hidden prices, this initiative creates a Texas-controlled structure that removes markups, supports rural hospitals, and gives Texans the freedom to know what they are paying for.

This solution focuses on four key pillars that put Texans first, not insurance companies or suppliers.

A Cost-Plus State Purchasing System

Texas creates a centralized, statewide purchasing system for medical supplies, equipment, pharmaceuticals, and hospital essentials. All purchases are made at cost-plus pricing, meaning Texas pays the real cost with a small, fixed margin for operation. No hidden rates. No unexplained fees. No inflated markups.

This reduces costs for hospitals, clinics, emergency services, school districts, and rural medical centers.

Transparent and Predictable Pricing for Families

Families deserve to know the price of care before they receive it. This initiative requires clear, posted medical prices so Texans can understand what they are paying for. Pricing becomes simple, stable, and consistent across the state.

Predictable pricing protects families from medical debt and restores trust in the healthcare system.

Rural Hospital Protection

Many rural hospitals in Texas are on the brink of closure due to high supply costs and unstable reimbursement rates. By lowering their operating costs and stabilizing their supply chain, this initiative keeps rural hospitals open, staffed, and capable of delivering emergency care.

Healthy rural hospitals mean faster emergency response times and stronger local communities.

Reducing Waste and Administrative Burden

Texas healthcare workers are overwhelmed by paperwork, billing confusion, and insurance disputes. This initiative simplifies the system by reducing administrative overhead, lowering the burden on nurses and doctors, and allowing more time to be spent on patient care instead of bureaucracy.

A simpler system means more efficient hospitals and a better experience for every Texan.

This is the foundation of a healthcare system that is affordable, transparent, and centered around Texans instead of corporations.

​​

​​

​​

​​

How the System Works

The Texas Healthcare Independence Initiative is built on a simple idea.
Texans should not pay more for medical care just because they live in Texas.


By removing hidden markups, stabilizing hospital supply chains, and creating predictable pricing, Texas can protect families and keep hospitals strong.

The system functions through four major components that connect hospitals, suppliers, families, and the state into one transparent and reliable network.

1. Statewide Cost-Plus Purchasing System

Texas negotiates directly with manufacturers and suppliers for medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, protective gear, devices, and hospital essentials.


Every item is purchased at cost-plus pricing.
This means:

  • Texas pays the real production cost of the item

  • A small, fixed operating margin is added

  • No markups are allowed

  • No hidden fees are allowed

All public hospitals, rural clinics, school districts, and emergency medical services can participate, lowering their operating costs while stabilizing their budgets.

2. Texas Medical Supply Catalog

A single, statewide catalog lists all medical items and supplies available through the cost-plus system.
This catalog:

  • Shows the real cost of each item

  • Prevents hospitals from being overcharged

  • Allows consistent pricing statewide

  • Helps rural hospitals budget accurately

  • Reduces waste and inefficiency

Hospitals in both large cities and small towns gain access to the same fair prices.

3. Transparent Prices for Families

Families deserve clear medical prices.
This initiative requires participating hospitals and clinics to post simple, predictable pricing for common medical services.
Examples include:

  • Emergency visits

  • Imaging and diagnostics

  • Standard procedures

  • Lab work

  • Primary care services

Prices become consistent and easy to understand, so families can plan for care without fear of surprise bills.

4. Hospital Participation and Incentives

Hospitals join the system voluntarily.
In return, they receive:

  • Lower supply costs

  • Access to statewide contracts

  • Stabilized pricing

  • Financial protection for rural facilities

  • Administrative simplification

  • Increased patient trust

As more hospitals join, the system becomes stronger, and medical costs across Texas begin to normalize.

Deployment Plan

The Texas Healthcare Independence Initiative will roll out in phases so hospitals, clinics, and communities can transition smoothly into a stable and transparent system. The deployment plan focuses first on the regions facing the highest medical costs and the greatest risk of hospital closures, then expands statewide as participation grows.

Phase 1: Rural and High-Need Regions

Rural hospitals are closing at alarming rates due to high supply costs and unstable reimbursement systems.
These communities receive the first support through:

  • Early access to the cost-plus purchasing system

  • Stabilized supply chains

  • Lower equipment and pharmaceutical costs

  • Administrative simplification

  • Technical support to transition into transparent pricing

This phase protects rural hospitals, preserves emergency care access, and ensures that Texas communities are not left without lifesaving services.

Phase 2: Urban and Suburban Expansion

Once rural and high-need regions are stabilized, the initiative expands into large cities and surrounding suburbs.
This phase includes:

  • Major public hospitals

  • Regional medical centers

  • Outpatient surgery centers

  • EMS systems and first-response providers

  • School district health programs

Urban and suburban participation strengthens the purchasing system by increasing volume, which further lowers statewide costs.

Phase 3: Full Catalog Adoption

The Texas Medical Supply Catalog grows as additional items, devices, and pharmaceuticals are added.
Hospitals and clinics gain access to:

  • Consistent statewide pricing

  • Expanded cost-controlled product lines

  • Standardized contracts

  • Reduced administrative burden

This phase creates long-term stability in supply procurement for all Texas hospitals.

Phase 4: Price Transparency Expansion

As the system matures, more facilities adopt simple and predictable patient pricing.
This phase includes:

  • Clear pricing for common medical services

  • Posted rates for diagnostics and imaging

  • Predictable fees for standard procedures

  • Simplified billing for families

Texans gain confidence knowing they can plan and budget for care without hidden charges.

Phase 5: Statewide Stabilization

After the system is fully deployed, Texas maintains oversight to ensure:

  • Markups do not return

  • Supply chains remain stable

  • Prices stay predictable

  • Hospitals continue to benefit from lower costs

  • Rural access remains protected

This phase secures long-term independence for the Texas healthcare system.

Funding and Stability

The Texas Healthcare Independence Initiative is designed to reduce costs, stabilize hospitals, and protect families without raising taxes. The goal is to spend smarter, not spend more.

Using Existing Healthcare Dollars

Texas already spends billions on medical systems, emergency care, and hospital support. This initiative reorganizes those dollars so they are used efficiently instead of being wasted on inflated prices or unnecessary administrative costs.

Lower Costs Through Cost-Plus Purchasing

By purchasing medical supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals through a cost-plus system, Texas lowers expenses for rural hospitals, EMS systems, public hospitals, and school districts. These savings reduce pressure on local budgets and prevent hospital closures.

Stabilizing Rural Hospitals

Lower operating costs help rural hospitals remain open, staffed, and able to provide emergency care. This stability strengthens every region of the state and prevents communities from losing lifesaving services.

No New Taxes

This initiative does not require raising taxes.
Savings come from lower supply costs, reduced administrative burden, and more efficient use of existing funds.

Long-Term Stability for Texans

As prices stabilize, families face fewer surprise bills, hospitals gain predictable budgets, and Texas builds a healthcare system focused on transparency and accountability. The result is a more stable and affordable system for every Texan.

Benefits for Texans

The Texas Healthcare Independence Initiative delivers direct and immediate benefits to families, hospitals, and communities across the state. By lowering costs, increasing transparency, and stabilizing rural healthcare, Texans gain a system they can trust.

Lower Medical Costs for Families

Transparent pricing and cost-plus purchasing reduce the price of medical services, supplies, and procedures. Families can plan for care without hidden fees or surprise bills.

Stronger Rural Healthcare

Lower operating costs help keep rural hospitals open. This protects emergency access for thousands of Texans who currently face long drives for lifesaving care.

More Stable Hospitals

Hospitals across Texas gain predictable budgets and reliable supply chains. This stability supports nurses, doctors, and medical staff, allowing them to focus on patient care instead of financial pressure.

Less Administrative Burden

Simplified billing and standardized pricing reduce paperwork and operational chaos. Healthcare workers gain more time for patients, not forms.

Predictable Pricing and Fairness

Texans should not pay drastically different prices for the same service. This initiative creates consistency and fairness across the state’s healthcare system.

A Stronger, More Independent Texas

By controlling medical costs and stabilizing hospitals, Texas becomes less dependent on corporations and outside suppliers. Texans gain a system built for them, not for hidden profit margins.

Closing Message

Texas families deserve a healthcare system that is affordable, transparent, and dependable. This initiative protects Texans from inflated medical prices, keeps rural hospitals open, and creates a clear and predictable structure that families can trust. It strengthens the entire healthcare system by focusing on fairness, stability, and real cost savings.

Texas has the resources to lead the nation in healthcare reform. By taking control of our supply chains and creating transparent pricing, we return power to families and restore confidence in our hospitals and clinics. This initiative builds a system where Texans know what they are paying for and where hospitals have the resources they need to provide quality care.

A healthier Texas is a stronger Texas. With this plan, every Texan gains a fair shot at affordable care, and our state moves one step closer to true independence and long-term stability.

Connect with Us

Texas Future-Ready Workforce Initiative

bottom of page