By Magaly “Maggie” Dante
October is spooky season – a time when bats, ghosts and skeletons seem to be around every corner. But for the thousands of El Pasoans living without health insurance, the fear they face is no novelty; it’s a chilling reality that lingers long after Oct. 31.
Imagine the gripping fear when a sharp pain suddenly grabs your chest. Without insurance, the cost of an emergency department visit can feel more frightening than the underlying problem. Too many people hesitate and hope the pain will fade like a phantom. Their reason? They fear the monstrous bill that will follow them.
A haunting thought enters your mind … what if I hadn’t skipped my annual check-up? Would the doctor have caught the cause of this shrill aching? But, the bill collectors from your last visit are still chasing you like a bad slasher movie. There’s no way you could afford the high price of another emergency visit.
Thankfully, you aren’t stuck in a bad horror movie – and there’s an ending that puts you back in control of your health.
Brave heroes walk among us – MHP Salud community health workers – stand ready to slay the dangers that plague the uninsured.
These local promotores de salud are lanterns in the dark, guiding our community members to affordable health coverage, routine care, early treatment, and peace of mind. They provide bilingual support to slay language barriers and meet people almost anywhere around town to make sure everyone can receive help to understand their options.
They’ll even walk you step by step through the application (it doesn’t have to be scary).
Plus, their support doesn’t stop after the application is submitted. They’re there for you before, during, and after the process – not just for health insurance but for support and connections to other resources – like food, housing and utilities – so you and your family have a solid foundation for a healthier future and a stronger community.
And even more incredible — It’s completely free! No tricks, no masks, no hidden costs or commissions.
Let’s not ignore the real monsters stalking our communities: undiagnosed chronic illness, crushing debt and preventable loss. Understanding your health insurance options doesn’t just fight these ghouls — it ensures that families and El Paso (as a whole) feel the difference between living in fear and living with confidence that help — real help — is there when you need it most.
Don’t delay, please reach out to make this your happiest and healthiest Halloween yet.
Maggie Dante is chief executive officer of MHP Salud, a 41-year-old nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health and wellness outcomes for underserved populations, with a particular emphasis on supporting families and individuals in border communities.
The post Opinion: How MHP Salud’s community health workers help El Pasoans face health care fears appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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