As more conservatives flood into Congress next year, many are determined to repeal the health care bill, which may be the only way to get our federal deficits under control.  Obama’s administration continues to preach the positives of the bill, despite a general consensus that it’s too expensive and actually prohibits consumers from receiving affordable health insurance in Texas and across the country.

As the Heritage Foundation notes, much of the issue lies with the misinformation distributed by the government. For example, the former Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Obama claims that leaving the legislation intact will cut costs, but the numbers just don’t add up.  A recent NY Times article claims that ObamaCare will cut the federal deficit and reduce Medicare spending.  But what’s left out is that, although spending on Medicare will be reduced by $575 billion over the next decade, the savings would be used to offset spending on new programs.  So in reality, no money is saved.

And to reduce Medicare spending, the new law plans to cut payments to providers, which only acts to decrease the number of doctors willing to see Medicare patients. That doesn’t save costs; it merely pushes the costs elsewhere. The administration also plans to make Medicare more efficient – which they say will reduce costs. But when’s the last time the government ever made something more efficient?  Efforts to increase efficiency from the top down usually result in price controls, which only disrupt the natural market forces.

Hopefully the newcomers to Congress will help to set our health care–and as a result, our economy–on the right track by addressing the irresponsible health care legislation and replacing it with reforms that actually work to lower costs. The Heritage Foundation sums up the issue with some clear thoughts:

The new law will be ineffective at increasing efficiency…The only way for the new Congress to eke out savings from health care is to repeal Obamacare and replace it with bottom-up, consumer-driven approach to reform.

As the end of the year approaches, people will begin renewing their Texas health insurance plans or enrolling in new plans.  And while renewing coverage can be quick and easy, it doesn’t mean the plan options and prices will stay the same.  So as you weigh your Texas health insurance options for 2011, be on the lookout for coverage and cost adjustments.

According to the National Business Group on Health, employer-sponsored health costs will rise nearly 9 percent in 2011, and these added expenses will likely be passed onto consumers via higher out-of-pocket cost and copays.  To assist consumers in navigating the impending changes and making the best choices for their health insurance, Fox Business suggests five useful tips:

1. Scrutinize higher copays and premiums, which will likely be more costly in 2011.  Save money by choosing another plan option—whether on the individual market or through your employer—researching wellness incentives, which can trim your plan costs, or switching to your spouse’s plan if it’s more cost effective.

2. Take advantage of free preventative services. Starting January 1, there will be more free preventive services than ever, per the terms of health care reform.  Some changes include free cancer screenings and weight-loss counseling.

3. Consider a high-deductible plan. If you’re healthy and don’t require frequent doctor visits and prescriptions, you can maintain health insurance with a very low monthly premium.  And if a major accident occurs or an operation becomes necessary, you’re covered.  Opting for a high-deductible plan also makes you eligible for a Texas health savings account, which is another great way to control your health care costs.

4. Note changes in drug coverage. Starting in 2011, you can no longer purchase over-the-counter medicines with HSA or flexible spending account dollars without a prescription from your doctor, so plan accordingly.

5. Keep your child on your health plan until they’re 26 if it makes sense for your family financially. The rules are lax, as your kids don’t have to live with you, and can even be married. It may be a great way to provide your son or daughter with solid coverage if they can’t obtain it on their own.

As open enrollment begins, keep the above tips in mind, and in general, ask a lot of questions to ensure you’re getting the best and most affordable Texas health insurance plan.  Otherwise, you may be blindsided by changes to your health plan once January rolls around.

Tomorrow’s elections may issue big changes to a variety of issues, including Texas health insurance, still reeling from national health care reform passed in March.  If Republicans win back a majority of seats in the House of Representatives, as many pundits are predicting, it will be interesting to see what they do about health care.

Last month, Republicans issued their Pledge to America, which included, among other initiatives, a plan to increase competition among health insurers by opening health insurance across state lines.  Opponents to this proposal claim that such a measure would result in consumers buying health insurance in the states with the lowest prices, and therefore, the fewest consumer protections.  But are state regulations for health insurance really geared toward consumer protection, or are they simply government-imposed mandates that do little more than raise the price of health insurance?

John Goodman of the National Center for Policy Analysis explores these regulations (the national average by state is 42), noting that most are the result of special interest lobbying, rather than measures to protect consumers.  This is why states with few regulations, like Idaho (13) and Iowa (26) don’t have higher reports of consumer abuses than states with more regulations.  So opening the market across states lines and allowing consumers to buy from states with cheaper prices would not subject patients to dangerous practices.  Instead, it would increase competition by allowing insurers to enter more markets, decrease the rate of uninsured residents and discourage states from imposing costly—and often unnecessary—regulations that would place them at a disadvantage to compete in the market.

A national health insurance market isn’t without problems, but increasing the availability of affordable health insurance in Texas and other states would be a huge win for consumers and businesses alike.  Hopefully tomorrow’s elections will put us on track to right some of the wrongs imposed by ObamaCare.