Texas has the highest rate of uninsured in the country. With more than 4 million uninsured Texans eligible for health coverage right now through the health insurance marketplace—and the fact that most of them can get help paying for coverage, due the financial assistance that too many people still don’t know about it—we’ve got a big job to do in the Lone Star State.

Not having health coverage is a risk factor for hundreds of diseases, including many that disproportionately affect women. For example, having so many women without insurance has contributed to Texas’ high rate of cervical cancer. Missing out on preventive care like pap smears leads more women to get diagnosed later, when cervical cancer is most dangerous. In fact, not having health coverage is second only to age as a risk factor for the advanced-stage of this disease.

The great news is the Affordable Care Act is making coverage available to millions of Texans, so more people can see a doctor early, and not have to wait until they’ve gotten sick to get care they need. Well-woman visits are fully covered to help more of our friends, family members and neighbors get life-saving screenings with no out-of-pocket costs.

March 31st is the last day to enroll in coverage, and it’s coming up fast. So many people can get health coverage, but still so many still have no idea that this is an option for them. Roughly 120,000 Texans enrolled by the end of last year, and 3 out of 4 of them got help paying for coverage.

March 1st will kick off 31 days of a flurry of outreach. You can be part of the historic opportunity to get people covered. Join a training to develop your skills in outreach, learn how to talk to consumers about their options, and help make history by changing the lives of uninsured people.

February 22nd is a nationwide Get Covered Training Day. If you’re in Texas, join us at one of the trainings below (and if you’re not, find a Feb. 22 training event near you here). Click on the link next to the event nearest you to RSVP.

Austin RSVP
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: United Way
2000 E. MLK Jr Blvd

Dallas RSVP
10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Location: Downtown Dallas Library

El Paso RSVP
Multiple shifts available
Location: Enroll America office
4625 Alabama

Houston RSVP
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Location: Department of Health and Human Services
800 North Stadium

Rio Grande Valley RSVP
10 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
UTPA Engineering Building
1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539

San Antonio RSVP
10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m
Location: Christus Santa Rosa
333 N. Santa Rosa St

Waco RSVP
11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Location – West Waco Library
5301 Bosque Blvd