NE Dallas News

Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) has urged Texas leaders to expand Medicaid services and asked leaders in the Donald Trump administration to expand health care coverage and lower costs.

“North Texans need more health care, not less, and I am working to do everything I can to expand access and lower costs across the board,”  Allred said in a news release. “Texas should expand Medicaid and extend coverage to over 1 million Texans. I again urge the administration to drop its harmful lawsuit looking to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and come to the table to work with Congress to help more people get access to the care they need.” 

A new Census report shows that North Texas cities make up some of the highest uninsured rates in the country. Thirty percent of Garland adults and 27% of Dallas adults lacked health insurance. Of Garland's 30% of uninsured, 43% of them are Hispanic, 16% are African-American, and 18% are children. According to the Census Bureau, the national uninsured rate is 9.2%. 

Allred said the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act will lower costs, secure coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, lower drug costs, and expand coverage. Allred helped pass this bill in the House back in June.