Texas Democratic lawmakers prioritize public health in border communities Eli Kirshbaum | Mar 10, 2021
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Texas lawmakers are hoping to aid disproportionately impacted communities along the state’s southern border with several public health bills this session. Representatives Eddie Lucio III and Robert Guerra are sponsoring legislation to increase testing in these communities, provide them with more resources and address the health disparities they experience.
Lucio III is sponsoring three bills pertaining to this issue all of which have equivalents in the Senate, sponsored by his father, Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr.
House Bill 727 would create a border health public education program. Through methods including bilingual outreach campaigns and worksite wellness programs, this bill aims to reduce the prevalence of chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension in these communities. According to Lucio III, diabetes is the fifth leading cause