Accessible and affordable health care impact in the Basin

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/ KPEJ) - As health care worker shortages continue, the need for health care will reportedly also increase and it’s no different in the Permian Basin. 

A daughter and mother sat down with our Ozzy Mora and spoke openly about a recent medical scare that they said was a complete eye opener to the need of affordable health care.

“We all need our health, we can’t work, we can’t produce [and] we can’t take care of,“ said Midlander Mayra Thompson. 

Thompson and her mother Maria Donis visiting from Belize spoke about a recent medical problem.

“My mom got sick, she started with a cough, but turned out she had pneumonia,” said Thompson. 

She said she immediately panicked because her mother had no insurance.

"You know there are some of us who are regardless of what are sickness it can be [or] health condition, [they] can afford it," she said. 

Then there are those that can’t afford health care costs at all.

According to a recent study from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one in 10 people don’t have health insurance. 

Thompson said she was worried about her mother’s health, but also the hefty bill that would come after.

She said thankfully a doctor friend told them about a local group bridging health care gaps.

“We’re seeing that the number has increased, [and] we see 10 to 15 patients each time," said Gregory Bartha, M.D. 

Barth...