HOUSTON, Texas, July 8, 2021 – The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Texas (“Molina”), recently hosted a virtual panel on Senior Care in Underserved Populations in Post-Pandemic Texas. Kelsey Letcher, interim plan president of Molina Healthcare of Texas, kicked off the panel following opening remarks by Dr. Tom Oliverson, state representative and chairman of the Texas House Insurance Committee.
“Our fundamental mission at Molina Healthcare of Texas is to serve the underserved, and we are doing everything we can to support our rapidly growing senior population, including through the provision of acute care, behavioral health, pharmacy and social services,” stated Letcher. “Molina is dedicated to improving health equity, access to information, and reducing health disparities, including but not limited to race, geography, poverty, and education.”
The panel of experts, featuring moderator Scott Braddock, editor of Harvey Kronberg’s Quorum Report, as well as Dr. Angela M. Goins, lecturer of social work in the Social Work Program under the College of Public Service at the University of Houston-Downtown, Chamane Barrow, executive director of Coalition for Barrier Free Living and Lex Frieden, director of the Independent Living Research Utilization Project at TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital, discussed how social determinants of health, particularly income, education, race and location, have led to vast disparities of health care for the aging population. The conversation also covered what the biggest hurdles are for seniors in underserved populations to receiving adequate healthcare, how to better facilitate independent living for seniors, and the role of corporations and organizations in helping the aging population overcome those obstacles.
“There is a growing awareness amongst the medical community that social determinants of health go a long way in determining an individual’s health outcomes and potential predisposition to be impacted by significant medical illness, said Dr. Tom Oliverson. “We should continue to monitor medical research that is currently underway to evaluate whether this could play a significant role in the development of conditions such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease.”
Letcher also noted that organizations need to be more creative to meet the growing needs of seniors, particularly the underserved. Long-term ramifications from the pandemic are still unfolding and collaborations across industries and sectors will continue to be paramount.
The full panel discussion can be viewed here.
About the MolinaCares Accord:
Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc., The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities.
About Molina Healthcare of Texas:
Molina Healthcare of Texas has been providing government-funded health care since 2006. The Company serves members through Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare, Medicare-Medicaid (Duals) and Health Insurance Exchange programs, with service areas across Texas. Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, served approximately 4.6 million members as of March 31, 2021. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Texas, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
