HCSC’s Focus on the Uninsured

Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), is dedicated to promoting access to cost-effective and quality health care. Each of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans that HCSC operates in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas shares this mission and a common focus to address the critical issues facing health care access and delivery.

To help reduce the number of uninsured Americans:

  • HCSC is committed to bringing its expert knowledge to the public policy table.
    HCSC joins frequently with many organizations and levels of government to search for workable solutions.
  • HCSC will assist in educating consumers to make informed choices from among available government programs and private insurance.
    It’s estimated that 30% of the uninsured qualify for existing government health care programs, but don’t know about them. In addition, there are affordable private health plans within the reach of many other Americans.
  • HCSC will promote appropriate private and public solutions that provide affordable access to high quality health care.
    We believe that both the government and the private sector have important roles to play in addressing the uninsured issue.
  • HCSC will work with health care providers, the business community and government to develop appropriate solutions that reduce uncompensated care. When uninsured Americans receive routine medical care in hospital emergency rooms, which is the most expensive type of health care, the costs are partly shifted to those who already have insurance coverage.

We believe that solutions for the uninsured must:

  • Provide access to appropriate levels of care
  • Offer real insurance benefits that actually pay for health care
  • Continue to promote access to high quality care and existing provider networks for those who already have private health insurance
  • Provide affordable coverage that can be sustained over time
  • Address the needs of a diverse population

HCSC works to educate policymakers on public/private solutions that address the uninsured. For example, our Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan in Oklahoma helped develop and launch a premium subsidy program for low income employees at small businesses. This is video of a Capitol Hill briefing on the program's success, which includes our plan's president and a program participant.