Health Care For All
CASA Multicultural Center Opens New Office, Campaign in County
Everyone deserves an opportunity for wellness, as a new coalition for primary healthcare in Prince George’s County kicks-off with a press conference with Councilmember Deni Taveras, partners, and impacted community members.
The press conference took place at CASA’s Multicultural Center, 8151 15th Avenue, Hyattsville,MD at 11:00 AM on June 23 as it was also livestream on Facebook Live (watch the livestream at https://www.facebook.com/CASAforAll/videos/132807988938886. View photos and video, click here.).
CASA’s Multicultural Center advocacy groups launched a new health campaign “Care for All Coalition” dedicated to creating a centrally administered universal primary care system to uninsured residents.
Care for All is a joint campaign to expand primary care in Prince George’s County. The Care for All coalition is dedicated to creating a centrally administered universal primary care system to uninsured residents.
Prince George’s County is home to the highest number of uninsured individuals in Maryland. The high cost of healthcare and ineligibility has left 13% of the population without health insurance.
In a county that has a median family income of $60,000, it’s a financial strain for many to seek primary care services as an average visit is $160. Federally qualified health centers have a lower cost (around $109) but both without the cost of medication or specialty care.
The staggering health disparity has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis, as black, brown and immigrant communities have experienced a greater vulnerability to infection and virus transmission due to less access to primary and general care.
Linda Thornton Thomas, Prince George’s County NAACP president said, “The opportunity to have basic healthcare is crucial to ensure a healthy body, economy, environment, and a healthy nation. Because of this, the Prince George’s County NAACP believes that good health is so important in today’s society so we can live better lives.”
Vincent DeMarco, president of Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative added “This is to achieve health equity and to help reduce uncompensated hospital care which keeps all of our insurance premiums too high.”
To learn more about the Care for All campaign contact Jenna DeFosse at 301-717-4492 or by email jdefosse@wearecasa.org
