Republicans have spent quite a bit of time during the preliminary debates and speeches condemning President Barack Obama’s health care plan. Specifically, Rick Perry has accused Obama of using the government to take over the private health care industry.

Rick Perry has made it clear that he intends to do away with Obamacare if he ever has the power. If he makes it into the Oval Office, he says he will “sign an executive order to wipe out as much of Obamacare as [he] can.”

But replace it with what?

Perry has often praised his state’s health care system, and lauds the medical facilities of Texas. But having productive or high-end medical centers does not mean that those who need health care are receiving it.

More than 25 percent of Texans are currently lacking health care, insurance premiums have risen drastically in comparison with the national rate, infant morality rates have risen in comparison with a national decline, and 20 percent of seniors return to the hospital soon after being released.

These trends are not indicative of a successful health care system. Some of these trends reflect an unusual increase in death and readmission, and those beyond newborns and the elderly are being affected. In recent years, a rising number (about one-third) of Texan children didn’t receive an annual physical or teeth cleaning. This is not the same as adults that have decided to forgo buying medical insurance. These are kids that aren’t receiving childhood checkups.

Additionally, back in November, Perry toyed with the idea of Texas opting out of Medicaid, which would leave nearly 3 million Texans without health coverage that were currently relying on the program.

Perry’s claim that Texas has the best health care in the country is a falsehood. While Texas may house some renowned medical institutions, this does not mean the system by which it is distributed or available to the citizens is a good one. Texas health care currently ranks 46th in the nation, and falls in the bottom quartile in access, prevention and treatment, avoidable hospital use and costs, and equity. Texas only reaches the second quartile when it comes to its citizens leading healthy lives. Granted, this is an improvement from 2007, when Texas came in 48th in the nation.

Perry has said Texas can handle its own health care, and that he works to “protect our families, taxpayers and medical providers.” But do Perry’s words stand up to the reality of Texas health care?  The answer is “no.”  

If Perry can barely manage to ensure his own state has the necessities, what does he plan to do if he gains a higher office?