U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, Texas Rep. Ann Johnson Host Town Hall

Houston, TX — U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher and state Rep. Ann Johnson held a virtual town hall on expanding health care in Texas on Thursday.

The town hall focused on efforts at the federal and state levels to make health care more accessible and answered questions from constituents.

An Episcopal Health Foundation survey in October found that more than one in three people in Harris County do not have access to health insurance. According to the United Health Foundation, Texas ranks last in the country in access to health care with 18.4% uninsured. During the town hall, Fletcher called on the Texas legislature to expand Medicaid in the state.

“As the pandemic has shown, keeping our communities healthy by expanding access to health care is essential,” said Fletcher, who represents Texas’ Seventh Congressional District. “Unfortunately, our state of Texas has the highest rate of uninsured people in the country. This absolutely must be a priority at both the federal and state level to address. I am glad to partner with state Rep. Ann Johnson in these important efforts.”

Fletcher introduced the Expand Medicaid Now Act, which was signed into law as part of the American Rescue Plan Act in March. Fletcher’s bill provides financial incentives to 12 states, including Texas, that haven’t expanded Medicaid by increasing federal funding if they do so.

Johnson, who represents Texas House District 134, is co-authoring House Bill 3871, which aims create Live Well Texas, a program to increase health coverage for Texans between the ages of 19-65 who aren’t eligible for Medicaid.