Health care costs are something nearly every family in Lubbock has felt—at the pharmacy counter, at the doctor’s office, or when an insurance bill shows up in the mail. This week, that issue took center stage in Washington, led by the congressman who represents much of West Texas.
Lubbock’s Congressman Leads Health Care Cost Hearing
U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, who represents Texas’ 19th Congressional District, which includes Lubbock, hosted a House Budget Committee hearing titled “Reverse the Curse: Skyrocketing Health Care Costs and America’s Fiscal Future.” The hearing focused on the growing cost of health care and how it impacts both American families and the federal budget.
Arrington opened the hearing by noting that rising health care costs are one area where Democrats and Republicans often agree on the problem—even if they disagree on solutions.
Health Care’s Growing Share of the Economy
According to Arrington, health care spending now accounts for nearly one-fifth of the entire U.S. economy, totaling almost $6 trillion. Roughly half of that spending comes from the federal government.
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He pointed out how dramatically things have changed over the decades. In the 1980s, health care spending was about 70% private and 30% government-funded. Today, it’s closer to a 50/50 split. Excluding interest payments, about one-third of the federal budget now goes toward health care.
Arrington also highlighted long-term growth, noting that national health care spending was around $19 billion in 1975 and has grown to nearly $2 trillion today–a figure projected to double within the next decade.
Impact on Families and National Priorities
While population growth and aging demographics play a role, Arrington argued they aren’t the only drivers behind rising costs. He emphasized that health care expenses are hitting young families and middle-class households especially hard.
He also warned that rising health care spending is crowding out other national priorities, such as defense, and contributing to growing federal debt levels–now higher, as a share of the economy, than during World War II.
A Call for Broader Reform Discussions
Arrington acknowledged criticism on both sides of the aisle, expressing disappointment with past policy decisions while also saying Republicans could do more to advance market-based reforms. He stressed that simply expanding insurance coverage does not automatically make care affordable for families.
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Toward the end of his remarks, Arrington called for a more focused conversation on the actual delivery of health care–looking at areas like cost structures, efficiency, and long-term sustainability–rather than strictly partisan debates.
Why This Matters in Lubbock
For families in Lubbock, the discussion in Washington reflects everyday realities: higher premiums, rising deductibles, and increasing out-of-pocket costs. While policy debates continue, Arrington said the goal remains clear–finding workable solutions that lower costs for patients, families, and taxpayers alike.
As the hearing concluded, Arrington urged lawmakers not to miss what he described as a rare opportunity to address health care costs in a meaningful way–an issue that continues to impact households across West Texas and beyond.
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House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) was joined in West Texas by Brooke Rollins, the 33rd United States Secretary of Agriculture.
Gallery Credit: Landon King
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Gallery Credit: Landon King