BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce has finalized its plans for 2025 Brownsville Chamber Washington, D.C. Fly-In.
More than 30 officials from the public and private sectors will participate. They will depart Brownsville on Sept. 9 and return Sept. 11.
The officials will promote Brownsville’s federal legislative priorities. One of the priorities focuses on healthcare.
Here are Brownsville’s priorities for healthcare:
Oppose any federal legislation that imposes work requirements, coverage restrictions or funding cuts to Medicaid and Medicare programs.
Support continued funding for these programs to ensure access to care for low-income elderly and disabled residents in the Rio Grande Valley.
Preserve the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
Support policies to protect safety-net hospitals and outpatient providers from harmful site-neutral Medicare payment cuts. These proposed cuts could disproportionately impact communities like the Rio Grande Valley, where hospitals rely on enhanced reimbursements to serve high-need, underserved populations.
Additionally advocate for reforms to the Medicare Advantage program that improve access to care by streamlining prior authorization, ensuring, timely, and reducing administrative burdens for providers. Strengthening oversight and transparency in Medicare Advantage will help ensure that seniors in our region receive equitable, timely and comprehensive care.
Support federal policies that remove barriers to health care access for low-income, at-risk and chronically ill populations.
Prioritize funding for community health centers and preventative care programs that reduce long term costs by managing conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
Invest in undergraduate and graduate medical education through sustained funding for institutions such as the UTRGV School of Medicine.
Support federal legislation that increases the number of Medicare-supported residency slots, particularly in medically underserved regions like South Texas.
Fund rural training tracks and pipeline programs to retain healthcare professionals in the region.
