This week on Fronteras:
- Rural West Texans scramble to try to find affordable health care.
- Border Patrol finds Guatemalans freezing at border (4:54).
- The Los Angeles Times uncovers corruption in Mexico’s housing developments (5:47).
- At a border reunion, a 14-year old boy gets an endearing birthday present (15:46).
West Texans Face Barriers To Affordable Healthcare
Many rural West Texans are struggling to find affordable health insurance.
Texas continues to lag behind the rest of the country when it comes to health coverage, with an uninsured rate of 16.6 percent, compared to 8.8 percent nationwide, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Within the state, the highest uninsured rates are reflected along the border with Mexico.
In far West Texas, insured rates have improved in recent years. But there are still barriers for many searching for affordable coverage. Marfa Public Radio's Elizabeth Trovall reports on how community health professionals worked hard this past week to get rural West Texans insured through the Affordable Care Act, before the Dec. 15 deadline.
Border Patrol Finds Immigrants Freezing Near Marfa
After a night of 20-degree weather in West Texas last week, 15 Guatemalan nationals, who entered the country illegally, were found suffering from hypothermia. Marfa Public Radio’s Carlos Morales reports one of them died from the extreme conditions.
LA Times Investigation Exposes Housing Corruption In Mexico
An ambitious project to provide a dignified and respectable home for every Mexican has resulted in new slums, massive debt and lost dreams for millions, according to an investigation by the Los Angeles Times.
Times reporter Richard Marosi visited 50 housing developments in Mexico over the course of a year. He spoke with Maureen Cavanaugh of KPBS about the miscalculations and corruption that created substandard and hazardous housing developments from Baja California to the Gulf of Mexico.Remove
El Paso Border Reunion Unites Teen With Father On Birthday
Dozens of families separated by their immigration status briefly reunited Dec. 10 just north of El Paso. For a few hours, border patrol agents stood back while families embraced through the Sunland Park, New Mexico, border fence. Reporter Mallory Falk followed one family as they prepared for a special reunion.
Norma Martinez can be reached by email at norma@tpr.org and on Twitter @NormDog1
