State Senator José Rodríguez and SEIU Texas are co-hosting a health information fair and roundtable discussion on how to ensure health care access in El Paso in 2017 and beyond on Thursday, December 8.
The outcome of the presidential election raises new and significant uncertainties about national health care policy priorities. Ensuring access to affordable, quality health care is a top priority for El Paso’s delegation in the 2017 State Legislative Session.
This roundtable discussion will give El Pasoans a chance to learn more about the decisions facing health care advocates and leaders who are working to expand access to health care for all El Pasoans.
“As a result of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, more than 20 million Americans have gained health care coverage. If Obamacare is repealed, most if not all of these Americans stand to lose vital access to health care. In Texas, Obamacare has dropped our uninsured rate from 25 percent to 17 percent, but we still have the highest number (4.6 million) and percentage of uninsured residents of any state in the country.
In addition to insurance coverage, Texas has benefited from a federal waiver program that has brought $29 billion to support our health care safety net over the past five years. This waiver program is at a critical juncture. The Obama administration gave Texas an extension until December 2017, but it’s now uncertain what may happen next.
As we head into the next legislative session, we wanted to provide an opportunity for El Pasoans to discuss and learn about the pressing issues we’ll be facing both at the state and federal levels,“ said Rodríguez.
“As hospital workers on the front lines of patient care, we’re committed to making sure all El Pasoans have access to high quality care that is affordable,” said Rosa Martinez, a Certified Nursing Assistant at University Medical Center of El Paso and a member of SEIU Texas. “SEIU members are proud to be advocating for solutions that ensure that all El Pasoans have access to high quality care.”
The Roundtable Discussion will include State Sen. José Rodríguez, UMC El Paso CEO Jacob Cintron, and SEIU National Healthcare Leader Kirk Adams. County Judge Veronica Escobar will serve as moderator.
• What: El Paso Health Information Fair & Roundtable Discussion: Ensuring Health Care Access in 2017 and Beyond
• When: 4 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday Dec. 8, 2016
– Health Information Fair from 4 to 6 p.m.
– Roundtable Discussion from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Where: La Fe Culture and Technology Center, 721 South Ochoa, Rear Building
