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Politics and Government
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Politics and Government
Source : (remove) : telecomasia.net
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Tristen Epps Wants Childcare and Healthcare in Every Kitchen a" Here's How He Plans to Get It

Tristen Epps: A Mother's Call for Affordable Childcare and Comprehensive Healthcare in America

In the heart of suburban America, where the daily grind of balancing work, family, and finances often feels like an insurmountable challenge, Tristen Epps stands as a voice for countless parents navigating the same turbulent waters. At 32 years old, Epps, a single mother of two young children and a full-time administrative assistant in a bustling Texas office, has become an unlikely advocate for systemic change. Her story, shared in a candid interview, highlights the intersecting crises of childcare affordability and healthcare access that plague millions of working families across the United States. Epps isn't a politician or a celebrity; she's an everyday American whose experiences underscore the urgent need for policy reforms that prioritize families over corporate interests.

Epps's journey into advocacy began three years ago when she welcomed her second child, a daughter named Mia, into the world. Already raising her son, Jordan, who was then four, Epps found herself thrust into a reality where the cost of living far outpaced her modest salary. "I remember sitting at my kitchen table, staring at daycare bills that were more than my rent," Epps recalls. "How is a parent supposed to choose between putting food on the table and ensuring their kids are safe while they work?" This sentiment echoes a broader national crisis: according to recent data from child welfare organizations, the average annual cost of center-based childcare for an infant in the U.S. exceeds $10,000 in many states, often consuming over 20% of a family's income. For single parents like Epps, who earns around $45,000 a year, these expenses aren't just burdensome—they're debilitating.

The childcare dilemma is multifaceted, as Epps explains. It's not merely about cost; it's about availability and quality. In her neighborhood outside Dallas, waitlists for licensed daycare centers stretch for months, forcing parents to rely on informal arrangements with neighbors or family members. Epps shares a harrowing anecdote from last year when her usual babysitter fell ill, leaving her scrambling to find coverage. "I had to call out of work three days in a row," she says. "My boss was understanding at first, but how many times can you do that before it affects your job security?" This precarious balance has led Epps to advocate for expanded public funding for childcare programs, similar to those in countries like Sweden or Canada, where government subsidies make early childhood education accessible to all. She envisions a system where childcare is treated as a public good, not a luxury, with universal pre-K programs and tax credits that genuinely alleviate the financial strain on low- and middle-income families.

But Epps's pleas extend beyond childcare to the equally pressing issue of healthcare. As someone who has battled chronic health conditions, including asthma exacerbated by Texas's unpredictable weather and pollution, Epps knows firsthand the terror of medical uncertainty. "When Jordan had an asthma attack last winter, I rushed him to the ER, praying my insurance would cover it," she recounts. "The bill came to $2,500 after insurance—money I didn't have. I ended up putting it on a credit card, and now I'm drowning in interest." Her story is emblematic of a healthcare system riddled with gaps: high deductibles, surprise billing, and inadequate coverage for preventive care. Epps points out that for families without employer-sponsored insurance, options like Medicaid are often insufficient, leaving many to forgo necessary treatments or accumulate crippling debt.

Epps's advocacy is deeply personal, rooted in her own brushes with the system's failures. Diagnosed with gestational diabetes during her pregnancy with Mia, she faced exorbitant costs for insulin and monitoring supplies. "Healthcare shouldn't be a gamble," she asserts. "It should be a right." She calls for a comprehensive overhaul, including expanding Medicare to cover all Americans, capping prescription drug prices, and integrating mental health services into primary care. Drawing from her experiences, Epps highlights how intertwined childcare and healthcare are: stressed parents without affordable childcare often neglect their own health, leading to burnout and chronic issues that ripple through families.

Beyond her personal narrative, Epps connects her struggles to larger societal trends. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified these issues, with childcare centers closing en masse and healthcare systems overwhelmed. Women, particularly women of color like Epps, who is African American, bore the brunt of these disruptions. Studies from organizations like the Center for American Progress show that the lack of affordable childcare contributed to a "she-cession," where millions of women left the workforce, exacerbating gender inequalities. Epps notes the racial disparities: Black families often pay more for lower-quality care due to systemic biases in funding and access. "It's not just about money; it's about equity," she says. "Why should my kids have fewer opportunities because of where we live or the color of our skin?"

In response to these challenges, Epps has taken action. She joined local parent advocacy groups and even testified at a state legislative hearing on childcare subsidies. Her efforts have garnered attention, leading to small victories like increased funding for after-school programs in her district. But she knows these are bandaids on a gaping wound. Epps urges policymakers to prioritize family-friendly policies in upcoming elections, emphasizing that investments in childcare and healthcare yield long-term economic benefits. "Healthy, supported families mean a stronger workforce and a brighter future for our kids," she argues. Economists back her up: for every dollar invested in early childhood education, society sees returns of up to $7 in reduced crime, higher earnings, and lower welfare costs.

Epps's vision isn't utopian; it's practical. She proposes phased implementations, starting with federal grants to states for expanding childcare facilities and incentives for employers to offer on-site daycare. For healthcare, she supports building on the Affordable Care Act by adding a public option and negotiating drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies. "We have the resources in this country," Epps insists. "It's about choosing to use them for people, not profits."

As our conversation winds down, Epps reflects on her hopes for her children. Jordan, now seven, dreams of becoming a doctor, inspired by the nurses who cared for him during his asthma episodes. Mia, at three, is a bundle of energy, thriving in a subsidized preschool program Epps fought to access. "I want them to grow up in a world where parents don't have to choose between their health and their kids' futures," she says. Her story is a poignant reminder that behind the statistics are real people—mothers like Tristen Epps—who are not just surviving but fighting for a better tomorrow.

In a nation grappling with inflation, workforce shortages, and healthcare debates, Epps's call resonates. It's a plea for empathy, for policies that recognize the humanity in every family. As voters head to the polls and lawmakers convene, her voice serves as a clarion call: affordable childcare and comprehensive healthcare aren't luxuries; they're necessities for a thriving society. Epps isn't alone in this fight; she's part of a growing chorus demanding change, one story at a time.

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Read the Full Food & Wine Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/tristen-epps-wants-childcare-healthcare-105900146.html ]