With almost 560 state employees per 10,000 Texas residents, the increasing cost of health insurance benefits means state lawmakers must allocate considerable funding for these benefits.

The state covers the entire cost of the monthly premium for state employees only, and half of the cost of dependent coverage. The monthly premium cost for employee-only coverage has increased from approximately $200 in 1999 to $360 in 2009.

While health insurance benefits are an appropriate benefit for state employees, there are things lawmakers can do to help control these costs, such as offering HSAs as an option for state employees.