AUSTIN — In the latest push for Medicaid Expansion in the 12 straggling states, nearly 200 advocacy organizations, representing constituencies across the states that have not expanded Medicaid, sent a letter urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Congressional leadership to support a comprehensive and permanent solution to the Medicaid coverage gap in the Build Back Better reconciliation bill.
These organizations are committed to advancing racial and health justice from the 12 states that have not expanded Medicaid and have advocated for nearly a decade to urge their state policymakers to adopt the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Medicaid expansion. The reality remains, however, that these state leaders are unlikely to expand coverage without federal action, similar to other fights for racial justice of the past and present.
Thus, organizations call on Congress to fix the Medicaid “coverage gap” once and for all in the FY2022 Budget Resolution and make this vision a reality. Failing to act on this historic opportunity to close the coverage gap would mean continuing to leave over 2 million low income adults, mostly Black and Latino, without any pathway to basic, life-saving health care coverage.
Letters were sent to Speaker Pelosi as well as Representative Hoyer, Representative Clyburn, Chair Pallone, Chair Neal, and to U.S. Senate leaders. Organizations from the 12 non expansion states are sending similar letters to their own state congressional delegations.
About Every Texan: Every Texan believes that social justice requires public policy. Since its founding in 1985, Every Texan (formerly the Center for Public Policy Priorities) has leveraged public policy to expand opportunity and equity for Texans of all backgrounds. Based in Austin, Texas, Every Texan is a nonprofit organization that researches, analyzes, and advocates for public policies to achieve equitable access to quality health care, food security, education, and good jobs. Learn more about how Every Texan is making Texas the best state to live in at everytexan.org.
About #SickOfItTX: #SickOfItTX is a nonpartisan coalition of passionate advocates and grassroots leaders fighting for expanded health care access in Texas. #SickOfItTX gives activists an outlet to unite across political divides and demand meaningful action by state lawmakers on health care coverage. Go to sickofittx.org for more information.