New Report Reveals Impact of Health Coverage Gap on Texas Latinos
A new report released today with the San Antonio Hisapnic Chamber of Commerce reveals the negative impact of not expanding Medicaid in Texas, especially the effects on the Latino community which comprises 50 percent of the state’s uninsured population.
The report “Closing the Health Care Coverage Gap in Texas: A Latino Perspective” shows that Texas, home of the nation’s highest percentage of uninsured in 2012, has the potential to help nearly 600,000 Latinos by expanding Medicaid.
“Despite broad public support and the clear economic benefits of Medicaid expansion—including an estimated boost in the state’s economic output by $67.9 billion during fiscal years 2014–2017 and generating an additional 231,000 jobs in Texas by 2016—the state of Texas has chosen to reject federal funding to expand the program and has yet to bring forth a viable alternative to bridge the coverage gap,” said Leticia de la Vara, Senior Strategist, NCLR. “It is unacceptable that our most vulnerable populations and the very workers we count on to stimulate the state’s economic engine lack the critical coverage that they need to remain healthy,” said de la Vara.
“It’s time to take a step in the right direction and expand access to care for more Texans; it’s the right thing to do to move Texas forward,” said Ramiro Cavazos, President and CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “Expanding access to health care will help create robust communities, allowing opportunities to reduce incidences of persistent health concerns.”
Read the whole report below:
