NEW ORLEANS – National, state, and local healthcare advocates are convening in New Orleans to urge Louisiana to participate in Medicaid expansion. Organizers say Louisiana leaders have refused to accept $16 billion in federal dollars that could help provide critical health coverage over the next 10 years.
“A Day of Action” is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 15, from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Mississippi River Heritage Park in New Orleans. Organizers say attendees will learn why Medicaid expansion is critical for improving public health in Louisiana and how they can help advocate for this needed change. Participants will have the opportunity to immediately take action by signing an online letter in support of Medicaid expansion addressed to state and national representatives and health leaders via their smart phones or social media.
Headlining the event is Dr. Adewale Troutman, MD, MPH, CPH, Professor and Associate Dean for Health Equity and Community Engagement at the University of South Florida College of Public Health. Dr. Troutman is a nationally and internationally known expert and leader in health equity, human rights, and community activism.
Other speakers will include Alma C. Stewart, Founder and President of the Louisiana Center for Health Equity, as well as leaders from several New Orleans-based organizations: Women With A Vision, Puentes New Orleans, the Vietnamese Young Leaders Association, The Jerimiah Group and the Louisiana Community Health Outreach Network.
“Access to health insurance coverage is now attainable for low income adults because of the Affordable Care Act, which is working in other states,” Stewart said. “Unfortunately, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has rejected the federal Medicaid funds to expand coverage to low-income adults. Other states are already benefitting from coverage expansion and seeing fewer uninsured residents. Louisiana is being left behind.”
National mobilization is being led by the Community Health Planning and Policy Development (CHPPD) section of the American Public Health Association (APHA) as part of their annual CHPPD Day of Action. CHPPD’s mission is to develop and advocate for health planning, policies and practices to promote health equity, community empowerment and social justice. This year CHPPD is joined by the APHA Caucus Collaborative, the liaison between the Caucuses and the American Public Health Association, comprised of 18 Caucuses that represent under-represented population groups and emerging causes and issue areas.
