The Coverage Gap and the Welcome Mat Effect
By Caitlin Shea, CPPP Research and KIDS Count Intern What is the coverage gap? The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was written to provide affordable health coverage to adults through two
May 8, 2015
Coda Rayo-Garza, Senior Director of Research & Data
Coda Rayo-Garza, PhD, serves as the Senior Director of Research and Data at Every Texan. A fronteriza born and raised in Laredo, Texas, Coda is a daughter of immigrants and a first-generation college graduate. Her diverse career spans the nonprofit and government sectors, including previous work as a Lecturer of Political Science.
Coda earned her B.A. in Philosophy from Texas State University, followed by an M.A. in Political Science and a PhD in Applied Demography from the University of Texas at San Antonio. In addition to her research, she is a co-founder of Fiesta Wishes and serves on the Board of Directors for CommuniCare Health Centers. She is also the co-author of Latinos in the US: Diversity and Change (2nd Edition), published by Polity Press.
Where to find me during session: Crunching numbers and defending survey data
My surprising hobby: I play the drums
Coda's Recent Work
No One Benefits from Enrollment Roadblocks
With the legislative clock ticking, there has been plenty of talk about the major investments lawmakers could make to improve life in Texas. But there are also a host of
May 7, 2015
2016-17 Legislative Budget Snapshot
With just weeks remaining in the regular session of the 84th Legislature, House and Senate conferees are working out the two chambers’ different versions of House Bill 1, the 2016-17
April 27, 2015
Kids Shouldn’t Have to Wait for Health Coverage
Today Texas law requires that a child must be without private health coverage for 90 days prior to enrolling in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), known as a CHIP
April 16, 2015
Texas Can’t Afford Permanent Tax Cuts
The House Ways & Means Committee heard testimony on HB 31 and HB 32, the bills that together make up the House tax cut plan. CPPP’s wonks provided live analysis
April 15, 2015
Texas House Budget: The Day After
As the dust settles on the 17-hour HB 1 debate in the Texas House, it’s worth noting what made it into the final House budget proposal, what didn’t, and what
April 2, 2015
Fuel for the Legislative Session
Halfway through the Texas Legislative Session, the pace is faster and the stakes are higher. Want to know what helps me ride the proverbial waves at the Capitol? Stepping just
March 26, 2015
Superheroes & Superstars: State of Texas Children 2015
Have you been wondering how well Texas kids are doing? There’s some good news, and some bad news. More kids today have health insurance than did a year ago, and
March 20, 2015
Time for State Leaders to be Heroes for Kids
Superheroes are known for their special powers. As a young girl growing up in Dallas, I was dazzled by Wonder Woman as she wielded her bracelets and Lasso of Truth
March 4, 2015
CPPP Testifies at U.S. House Ways and Means Committee
A couple weeks ago U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (Texas – 35th District) invited me to testify before the Committee on Ways and Means’ Subcommittee on Human Resources in the U.S.
February 26, 2015