Our healthcare system isn't working for us.
We have the worst uninsured rate in the nation. Rural hospitals are closing. Moms are dying preventable deaths. We need a system where everyone can get the care they need, when they need it, and Medicaid expansion is the first step Texas leaders can take towards that future.
But in spite of how badly we need this, and how much Texans support it, our leaders didn't hold a hearing on Medicaid expansion in 2021. That's why, on March 2 this year, we brought the public hearing to them.
Read our press release, and keep an eye on this page for videos of testimonies.
FAQs
The legislature holds hearings to seek input from the public about bills they're considering. Since Texas hasn't held a hearing on Medicaid expansion since 2019, we're holding a people's hearing this year to make sure people have a chance to voice their input on this issue.
Please join us at the Texas Capitol beginning at 10am. Our schedule:
- 10am: Coffee & Sign-making
- 11am: People's Hearing
- 12pm: RJ Rally hosted by The Afiya Center
- 12:30pm: Lunch on us
- 1:30: Literature Drops and Office Visits
RSVP now to get more details.
We have buses or vans coming into Austin from Dallas, Bexar, and Harris counties, courtesy of TOP, which will leave and return same day. If you live outside of those areas, we can offer a gas card.
Due to our limited budget, we are currently only able to provide lodging for people who are coming from 4+ hours away and are either testifying or serving on our mock people's committee.
If you need help with transportation, please indicate this when you RSVP!
We recommend the Capitol Visitors Garage at 1201 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78701, which has a maximum daily fee of $12. Please give yourself a 15 min buffer to walk over from the garage to the Capitol and go through security.
Days at the Capitol are long, especially if you’re coming from elsewhere! We encourage you to get as much rest as you can the night before, and suggest bringing: protein-packed snacks, a water bottle, a battery pack for your phone, comfy shoes and clothing, band-aids, and a mask. We will have coffee and snacks for you in the morning, and we will provide lunch.
Great, we would love to connect! We are looking for the stories of people who are uninsured, especially if you're directly impacted by our state leaders' refusal to expand Medicaid. If you're not sure that this is you, please do reach out. (And if it turns out you do have affordable health insurance options, we can help you find those too.)
Short answer: no. Our storytelling coordinator, Amber, will work with you to make sure you're prepared to testify. Each person will have 3 minutes to testify, like in an official committee hearing.
We're happy to hear that! If you have a heealthcare story, we can work with you to find another way to share your testimony, whether through working with you on an op-ed, petition, or video. Connect with Amber.
If you want to speak up but don't necessarily have a health experience to share, we encourage everyone to contact your representatives with our quick, user-friendly action page here.
Amber Ayala
Storytelling Coordinator
aayala [at] childrensdefense [dot] org