Faith leaders rally for Medicaid at Capitol

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin Interfaith, in partnership with the Network of Texas Organizations, convened 200 leaders from various faith traditions on the steps of the Capitol to call on Gov. Rick Perry and the Texas Legislature to expand Medicaid. 

Religious leaders and clergy from throughout the state gathered at the north entrance the Capitol on Wednesday at noon to rally in support of Medicaid expansion.

"It is shameful that a state as wealthy as Texas leads the nation in the number of uninsured and the number of children without insurance," Edie Clark, a leader with Austin Interfaith, said in a statement.

Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe will join the rally with a signed copy of the resolution passed unanimously on Tuesday by Travis County Commissioners .  Leaders from Austin Interfaith spoke to Commissioners Court in support of the resolution to expand Medicaid.

The proclamation reads that 209,000 residents in Travis County were uninsured in 2011 and that expanding Medicaid would potentially ensure that 1.5 million more Texans, including 55,676 Travis County residents, would be added to the insured population by 2017.

Support of the expansion will not raise the tax burden for residents of Travis County nor the state, according to Austin Interfaith.

"American taxpayers have already funded the increased health insurance coverage, but it’s the governor’s decision whether eligible Texans will be allowed access to it," said Jesse Posner of AI in a written statement. "In addition, Texas hospitals desperately need this funding because they agreed to a reduction in indigent funding over time in exchange for Medicaid expansion. Opting out will put an even greater burden on county taxpayers."

Wednesday's planned rally is part of a statewide strategy to work with local counties to pass resolutions in support of Medicaid expansion. Dallas and El Paso Counties have previously passed resolutions, and similar efforts are under way in San Antonio, Houston, Fort Worth and the Rio Grande Valley, according to Austin Interfaith.