The Texas Department of Licensing and Regluations has decided to change a few laws in the wake of Vasquez's death. To wit:
On Saturday, the day after Vasquez's death, Texas officially altered its "combative sports" rules. The rules increase the cost of health insurance promoters are required to pick up for seriously injured fighters, covering "medical, surgical and hospital care with a minimum limit of $50,000 for injuries sustained." Promoters will also be required to pay $100,000 (up from $50,000) to a fighter's estate if the fighter dies in competition. If Vasquez was like the majority of MMA athletes out there, he didn't have insurance and collected only a handful of dollars per fight.
One of the best kept secrets about the life of up-and-coming fighters is the pervasive lack of health insurance. Who knows if Vasquez was getting proper medical attention in the lead up to his death, but it goes without saying that the vast majority of today's fighters do not.
Your's truly also makes a couple of points about the tragedy in the Sports Illustrated article. Read it.
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