Building the power of women of color-led organizations to build health justice in the South

Any conversation about who is left out of the ACA quickly leads to a conversation about the South, where partisan opposition to the ACA and the history of institutionalized racism have combined to leave millions of people in the coverage gap.  In addition to those who are currently left out of the ACA because policy makers in their state have so far refused to accept federal funding to expand Medicaid, the South is home to large communities of immigrants, people living with HIV and formerly incarcerated persons, all of whom face structural barriers to accessing adequate or any coverage through the ACA.  Women of color-led organizations in the South have long and deep experience of speaking truth to power and creating social change.  In partnership with Raising Women’s Voices, these organizations are beginning to challenge the policies that leave women of color, immigrants, people living with HIV and formerly incarcerated persons uncovered and uncared for.  The presenter will share lessons learned from several of these initiatives.