Mayor Bill White launched a new Web site today aimed at giving Houstonians more information about health insurance choices.
HoustonHealthChoice.com offers a menu of online options for individuals, families and small business owners to compare health plans side-by-side based on monthly premium prices, deductibles and coverage options.
More than a million people in Houston lack health coverage and most of those are employed full time. Only one-third of local small businesses offer health insurance to workers because rising premiums have made it impossible for many to provide benefits and stay competitive.
"The fact is the national health care system is broken. We know that. We're not going to be able to fix that locally," White said.
"But for the third of our population that wakes up thinking about what would happen to them financially if there were some unforeseen medical event, there is some help and some hope in Houston."
The site is designed to be simple and does not promote any specific insurance company, plan or broker. However, only companies that earn a B+ rating or higher from the Texas Department of Insurance are represented online. That's because health insurers with lower scores might have compliance issues, Elena Marks, the city's director of health and environmental policy, said.
The new Web site is similar to Houston Electricity Choice, an online navigation tool that sorts through local electricity rates. Much like that site, if consumers want to buy, they can click a link to access the company.
White introduced the site this morning at the new Heights location of the Good Neighborhood Health Care Center, which provides primary care and prenatal, dental and optometry services to low-income Houstonians.
So, try now
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