Hello!
I thought you might be interested in some of the new materials that we've recently published on maternal and child health policy in Texas as well as a couple of policy updates.
Our New Publications: Maternal Health
This week we published three excerpts from our recent report on maternal health in Central Texas:
We published the excerpt on racial disparities not only because we want to highlight and eliminate those disparities, but also because we're trying to follow best practices and discuss those disparities in ways that avoid unintentionally reinforcing stereotypes. We don't always get it right, but to reach that goal we try to start the conversation by showing that there is a broader policy problem, explain why the disparities exist, and highlight solutions.
Our New Publications: Maternal and Child Health
We have a new blog post looking ahead at early childhood policy — including maternal and child health — in Texas:
In collaboration with our partners in the Cover Texas Now coalition, we have new materials on the statewide uninsured rate (for adults and children combined):
Our New Publications: Child Health
We have also produced new materials on the latest data regarding the uninsured rate for Texas children:
In collaboration with our partners in the Cover Texas Now coalition, we also have new materials on the children's uninsured rate in Texas and policy solutions:
Policy Updates on Enrolling in Maternal and Child Health Programs
Public Charge Rule Blocked:
The courts have temporarily blocked the administration's new Public Charge rule for green card applicants, a policy that has created a great deal of fear and confusion.
It's important for mixed status families to know, regardless of what the final determination is in the courts, under the Public Charge rule they can keep their children enrolled in Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, and other programs.
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Open Enrollment Nov. 1 - Dec. 15:
The Texas Attorney General is leading a lawsuit that could eliminate ACA health benefits in 2021, but experts expect health coverage will still be available at least through 2020, and hopefully for many years to come.
So we encourage interested Texans to sign up for 2020 insurance on HealthCare.Gov during the open enrollment window from November 1 to December 15, 2019. Local groups throughout the state will have experts available to provide free help understanding your options and signing up for a plan. Financial assistance is still available for low and middle-income shoppers to help lower the cost of their plan.
We hope you find these materials and updates helpful. We're glad to have you as a partner in our work to support maternal and child health!
