Mothers are everything to our families. Nurse, teacher, chef, coach — we do it all. Whether we’re Black, White or Brown, mothers do what it takes to keep our families safe and cared for.
As a Medicaid ambassador at La Unión del Pueblo Entero, I work with Latino immigrant mothers. I help them understand that Medicaid can help them give their family the care they need.
But too many of the mothers I work with decide not to sign up for Medicaid or any other public program. They are hard-working and proud. And they know their worth. But they are fearful that public programs will have immigration consequences for them or someone in their family.
They do not have citizenship and many do not have any legal status that protects them. And they hear some politicians shame and blame them for the hard times all of us face. The politicians in power in our state spread stigmatizing beliefs about people who access public benefits. They point the finger at immigrants and poor Black and Brown Texans for using public programs to distract us while they take the resources our schools, communities and families need.
It makes immigrant mothers believe they have to choose between their health and their ability to stay with their families in their adopted home.
As a Medicaid ambassador, I help them overcome these fears. I make it clear that signing up for public services will have no immigration consequences.
But making the Valley a healthier, happier place will take all of us. Let’s stop allowing politicians to exploit our differences. Let’s come together to support and protect Medicaid. Together, we can chart a better future where every Texan in every corner of our state has the freedom to thrive, no exceptions.
Elizabeth Rodriguez M
Community organizer
LUPE
Alton
Much worse
than a leak
The GOP wants for the Justice Department to launch an investigation into the Supreme Court draft leak on the abortion ruling. So why aren’t they also asking for an investigation into Ginni Thomas’ January involvement into trying to overthrow the 2020 presidential election? Also, if she had any influence into her husband Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ decision to be the only justice who voted against Trump turning over any of his documents while he was in office.
Honestly, this is far worse than a leak on a draft.
Jesus Rodriguez
Elsa
Careful
donations
Our senators and representatives, Democrats and Republicans alike, should be very cautious of help for unverified “money for Ukraine help scams.”
Some Ukrainians have voiced concerns through the media that some money sent by us likely never gets to them.
Good, honest help is needed by Ukraine, but after the excessive trillions of taxpayers’ money pilfered in less than a year for the “build back better” fraud plan, which was given wholeheartedly by Congress to the present administration, future money should be thoroughly scrutinized. Americans can’t be feeding a cruel regime’s bottomless money pit.
It is imperative that any elected leaders worth their salt be good stewards and more judicious in dispensing money earned with sweat, blood and hard work by American taxpayers for a global regime that cares for others before the American people. “Global” to the present regime means other countries, never America. They just stick us with the bills.
Imelda Coronado
Mission
