Vikki Goodwin, Democrat lieutenant governor candidate, is bringing her campaign to El Paso.
Goodwin is visiting the Sun City to tout her Texas Cares Plan, which would establish a state-sponsored health care plan to cover low-income Texans, working Texans and Texans who remain uninsured after pursuing health care through their work, the marketplace and family.
Goodwin will take part in a forum sponsored by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council #132 at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30, in the El Paso Community College Administrative Services Center's auditorium at 9050 Viscount Blvd.
Incumbent Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican, has not confirmed that he will be in attendance at the forum. Patrick and Goodwin will face off
in the Nov. 3 General Election.
Goodwin's visit to El Paso gives residents a unique opportunity to hear about the lieutenant governor's race, which has largely been overshadowed by the gubernatorial contest between Democrat Gina Hinojosa and incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, as well as the widely watched U.S. Senate contest between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton.
During the event, Goodwin will discuss her priorities as lieutenant governor, including lowering costs and raising wages, expanding health care coverage to the 5 million Texans currently without it, investing in education and regulating data centers.
She will also discuss her Texas Cares Plan, which includes the following provisions:
- Tier 1: Medicaid expansion, available to Texans up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) — Medicaid expansion would extend comprehensive health coverage to low-income Texans by drawing down available federal funding, ensuring affordable access to care while reducing the state's uninsured population.
- Tier 2: Lone Start Basic, available to Texans from 138-200% of FPL — Lone Star Basic provides affordable, state-administered coverage for working Texans who earn too much for Medicaid but still struggle to afford private insurance. By leveraging federal Basic Health Program funding, it bridges the gap between Medicaid and the individual marketplace.
- Tier 3: Lone Star Preferred, available to all Texans — Lone Star Preferred would be a state-run, state-funded health insurance option that provides an affordable and accessible alternative to the individual market.
Patrick has not announced a comprehensive plan to lower health care costs as part of his reelection campaign and has not campaigned in El Paso this year.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas Lt. Governor candidate Goodwin brings health care plan to El Paso
