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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Camila Gallardo
(305) 215-4259
cgallardo@nclr.org
PRESS CONFERENCE
NCLR PARTNERS WITH SAN ANTONIO HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO RELEASE REPORT ON EFFECTS OF MEDICAID GAP ON TEXAS
SAN ANTONIO—On Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at 1:15 p.m., NCLR (National Council of La Raza), and the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce will hold a press conference to release findings of an NCLR issue brief, “Closing the Health Care Coverage Gap in Texas: A Latino Perspective.” Latinos comprise about 50 percent of the state’s uninsured population. While the implementation of the Affordable Care Act is helping Latinos bridge this coverage gap by offering a variety of options through the Health Insurance Marketplace, many are still not able to afford or qualify for these options. With more than six million uninsured, Texas has the highest rate of uninsured people in the United States. Expanding Medicaid would have allowed for more than one million Texans to access care. Texas’ decision to opt out of Medicaid expansion means a significant number of the state’s residents—including almost 600,000 Latinos—will not qualify for coverage through the Medicaid program.
Latinos comprise a significant portion of the Texas’ labor force; 10 million Latinos reside in the state, the second-largest Hispanic population in the country. Health coverage expansion is critical to the state’s economic growth: Coverage helps ensure a healthy and robust labor force while reducing high-cost expenditures that come as a result of seeking emergency medical treatment.
Press wishing to attend should RSVP to Camila Gallardo at cgallardo@nclr.org or (305) 215-4259.
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHO:
- Ramiro Cavazos, President and CEO of San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Leticia de la Vara, Senior Strategist, Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation,
- NCLR
- Dr. Esteban Lopez, President, San Antonio Region Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
WHAT: Issue Brief Release: “Closing the Health Care Coverage Gap in Texas: A Latino Perspective”
WHEN: Tuesday, August 19, 2014
1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
WHERE: Univision 41 San Antonio Studios
12431 Network Blvd. Suite 140
San Antonio, TX 78249
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