October 1, 2020 at 6 p.m. Alabama is among just 12 states that have not expanded Medicaid. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate Southern states, there has never been a more important time to expand health coverage for Alabamians. The Cover Alabama Coalition is joining advocates from Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas in the shared effort to expand Medicaid for essential workers, communities of color and uninsured families and children across the South. The vigil features bold leaders in social justice and health care reform. Stacey Abrams (Fair Fight Coalition) will moderate, and Rev. Dr. William Barber (Poor People's Campaign) will deliver the keynote. With more than 1.5 million COVID-19 cases, and 56 rural hospital closures since 2014, expanding Medicaid would allow nearly 7.5 million people who are uninsured to gain coverage in these eight states that have denied health coverage to their residents. We hope you'll join us this Thursday, Oct. 1, when the #SouthernSolidarity states will host simultaneous candlelight vigils across the South to honor our residents who have suffered or died in the coverage gap. Please register here. Alabama Arise is a founding member of Cover Alabama, which is working to expand Medicaid in our state. To learn more about the Southerners for Medicaid Expansion campaign, click here. | |
