For Immediate Release: June 22, 2021
New coalition for primary healthcare in Prince George’s County kicks off with Councilmember Deni Taveras
HYATTSVILLE, MD – Advocacy groups join to form a new health coalition “Care for All Coalition” and host a press conference to kick off the start of 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.
Media will be able to ask questions following the press conference. The press conference will be live streamed on CASA’s Facebook page at: facebook.com/CASAforAll or at https://www.facebook.com/CASAforAll/videos/132807988938886
WHO:
- George Escobar, Chief of Programs and Services, CASA
- Prince George’s County Councilmember Deni Taveras, D2
- Linda Thorton Thomas, President, Prince George’s County NAACP
- Vinny DeMarco, President, Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative
- Christopher Stevenson, 1199 SEIU
- Malcolm Heflin, Lead Healthcare Organizer, Progressive Maryland
- Digna Ramirez, CASA Member (Langley Park resident, uninsured)
- Rubi Salazar, CASA Member (Langley Park resident, uninsured)
- Saira Cortez, CASA Member (Langley Park resident, uninsured)
- Several uninsured Prince George’s residents
- Invited: County Executive’s Office, County Council Members, other community organizations
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: June 23, 2021 – 11: 00 AM EST
WHERE: CASA Multicultural Center, 8151 15th Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20783
RSVP: Please contact Jenna DeFosse
MORE: Prince George’s County is home to the highest number of uninsured individuals in the state of 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 is a financial strain to seek primary care services as a visit is on average $160, with a lower cost of $109 at a federally qualified health center, both without the cost of medication or specialty care.
The staggering health disparity has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis, as Black and immigrant communities have experienced a greater vulnerability to infection and community transmission due to less access to primary and general care.
