There is still time to raise your voice for Medicaid Expansion!

Medicaid expansion did not pass this legislative session despite almost 5 million Texans living without access to healthcare, 70% of Texans supporting greater health coverage, along with bi-partisan support in the legislature for coverage expansion and the loss of billions of federal dollars. Texas remains one of only twelve states who have not expanded Medicaid despite incentives from the federal government. 

However, there is still time to take action for Medicaid expansion in Texas! The state is accepting public comment on the use of Medicaid dollars until June 28, 2021. Join us and our partners at #SickofItTX in calling on Texas leaders to include coverage in the state’s Medicaid 1115 application through this portal. 

Texas is requesting federal dollars through a Medicaid 1115 Waiver. The waiver provides funding to help cover safety-net hospitals and mental health providers who treat uninsured patients. While the Medicaid 1115 waiver is critical to assist with uncompensated care for providers and improve the rates for people who are already in the program, it does nothing to address the coverage crisis and help millions of uninsured people across Texas. Texans deserve coverage, not just emergency care.  

On June 17, the Supreme Court dismissed the third significant challenge (this time by Texas) to the Affordable Care Act. The ACA remains the law of the land. Texas leaders must stop attacking our health care and develop a plan to expand coverage to the Texans they failed to cover during the session. 

Expanding Medicaid increases coverage and ensures affordable, quality healthcare for many low-income Texans. It is also an essential step towards racial justice in our state health system. 74% of Texans in the coverage gap are Black and Latinx. This month, the Center on Budget & Policy Priorities (CBPP) released a comprehensive study entitled Closing Medicaid Coverage Gap Would Help Diverse Groups and Narrow Racial Disparities. Even though people of color comprise 41% of the adult, non-elderly population in the twelve non-expansion states, they make up 60% of people in the coverage gap. See the image below for a visual representation of the data.

This month, the Center on Budget & Policy Priorities (CBPP) released a comprehensive study entitled Closing Medicaid Coverage Gap Would Help Diverse Groups and Narrow Racial Disparities. Even though people of color comprise 41% of the adult, non-elderly population in the twelve non-expansion states, they make up 60% of people in the coverage gap. See the image below for a visual representation of the data.

The vast majority of the 12 non-expansion states are in the south, where there are overwhelming rates of people living in poverty, the nation's highest rates of people living without insurance, high rates of chronic diseases, high COVID infection rates/deaths especially amongst Black, Native, and Latinx populations, and many other gaping racial health inequalities. See the image below.

Call to Action: 

We need as many voices as possible before June 28! Help shape the future of healthcare in Texas! 

Join CCPPI and our partners at #SickofItTX in calling on Texas leaders to include coverage in the state’s application through this portal.

Housing is Healthcare

At CCPPI, we believe every person deserves access to a safe, clean, reliable, and affordable place to live. Housing that is unaffordable, low quality, and insecure undermines the health and wellbeing of those living in poverty/those with low to moderate incomes and slows progress for racial equity. As an organization, we understand the inextricable link between housing and access to quality healthcare. With the Center for Disease Control’s eviction moratorium set to expire on June 30, the Eviction Lab wanted to “assess whether those at greatest risk of displacement were now protected against COVID-19 infection through widespread vaccination.” Unfortunately, that protection does not exist. The analysts found that in all the cities the Eviction Lab tracks, zip codes with higher eviction filing rates were more likely to have lower vaccination rates. The maps above show a side-by-side comparison of eviction filing rates and vaccination rates across Houston. To read the entire report, click here. 

Stable Housing Equals Healthy Moms & Babies...

It is challenging to focus on keeping yourself and your baby healthy during pregnancy if you don’t have a secure place to sleep at night. In March, a study by Princeton University found that infants born to mothers who faced eviction or eviction actions while pregnant were more likely to be born prematurely and at a low birth weight than those born to mothers who were not facing potential removal from their home. 

Last month, a study by a coalition in Ohio to test the effect of housing assistance on birth outcomes found a strong link between stable housing and mother/baby health. 40 (out of 50) of the babies in the housing-intervention group were full-term and healthy compared to only 24 (out of 50) full-term, healthy babies in the control group who did not receive rental assistance and support from a “housing stabilization specialist.”  Babies whose mothers were given rental subsidies were also less likely to be admitted to the NICU. To this, Beth Fetzer-Rice of the program stated, “The savings in healthcare dollars is significant; the impact of a healthier start in life is incalculable.”

American Rescue Plan Updates...

Harris County has received the first of two installments from the American Rescue Plan. 
Tell leaders in Harris County how you’d like to see the funds spent! Share your ideas through the Community Survey here.

Child Tax Credit: Non-Filer Sign-Up Portal

Yesterday was Child Tax Credit Awareness Day. Approximately 39 million households benefit from this tax credit. Starting July 15, eligible families will receive $300-$250 (per child) in monthly payments. Families with children who did not file taxes in 2019 or 2020 are now able to use the IRS’s new non-filer tool to sign-up to receive the Child Tax Credit benefits.
Additionally, those without a home who have not received the full first and second Economic Impact Payment (stimulus checks) can sign-up to receive their full benefits through the same non-filer tool. If someone does not have an address, they can still receive funding by putting in a trusted address such as a community center or shelter. 

Affordable Housing Progress...

St. Charles Place Apartments Now Leasing.
Construction is Complete!

The St. Charles Place Apartments is located at 3113 St. Charles Place at Elgin. They consist of 20 residential units including 2 studios, 2 one-bedroom units designed for individuals who are mobility impaired, and 16 one-bedroom units. 
Rents range from $600 to $975. Proof of income is required as there are maximum income restrictions for all households.
For more information please contact StressFree Property Solutions at
713-264-8240. To view photos, click here. 

One Emancipation Center Now Leasing. 
Construction is Complete!

Construction of the One Emancipation Center (Affordable Housing Operations Center) is complete. It is located at 3131 Emancipation Ave., Houston, TX 77004. This five-story building will house CCPPI and other agencies dedicated to affordable housing development, advocacy, and economic growth of the community. Those interested in lease information, renderings, and marketing materials, please contact our commercial realtor partners Ed Ryland, ARVO, or Chip Horne, Cushman & Wakefield. To view photos, click here. 

Development Opportunities:
There are development opportunities to create affordable housing in Houston that are regularly updated on the CCPPI website. You can find those contract opportunities here.