Copper and Greens

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United States
Houston, TX
Copper and Greens

We provide health and nutrition education with strategies to prevent and manage chronic illnesses.

04/08/2026

Before anything else, it is important to acknowledge the role that Memorial Hermann Health System has played in serving the Houston community. For decades, Memorial Hermann has been deeply committed to patient care, community health, and access. From trauma services to chronic disease management and community outreach, their presence has been a cornerstone for many individuals and families.

This moment does not erase that impact. It highlights how essential strong, accessible healthcare systems are to the people we serve.

The Memorial Hermann and Blue Cross Blue Shield contract disruption is not just a network issue, it’s a patient care continuity issue.

For physicians across Houston and beyond, this moment requires more than awareness. It requires action, advocacy, and strategic adjustment.

What this means for your patients:
• Delayed care
• Medication disruptions
• Forced provider transitions
• Increased confusion and anxiety

For patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions, even short gaps in care can lead to avoidable complications and hospitalizations.

What physicians can do right now:

1. Lead with communication
Proactively inform your patients of changes and guide them on next steps. Silence creates loss of trust.

2. Support continuity of care requests
Provide documentation for:
• Active treatment plans
• Chronic disease management
• Medical necessity

This can help patients remain in your care temporarily at in-network rates.

3. Utilize Single Case Agreements (SCAs)
For high-risk or complex patients, SCAs can allow continued care while negotiations evolve.

4. Protect medication access
Encourage 90-day prescriptions where appropriate and verify formulary changes to prevent lapses.

5. Strengthen care transitions
If patients must transfer:
• Ensure complete medical records are accessible
• Provide clear handoffs
• Reduce fragmentation of care

This is also a systems moment.

Healthcare delivery cannot remain dependent on a single contract or network alignment.

Physicians who will remain effective in this environment are those who:
• Diversify care delivery models
• Strengthen direct patient relationships
• Integrate education, prevention, and care navigation
• Collaborate across systems, not just within them

This is not simply a contract dispute.
It is a test of how well we protect continuity, access, and outcomes for the people we serve.

Patients will remember who guided them through uncertainty.

02/26/2026

If you, your family members, or friends rely on Medicaid services in the state of Minnesota, please take action now to protect your access to healthcare.

What’s happening?

Funding has been paused.
Providers are being paid for now, but they may begin holding elective and preventative services soon.

This means some clinics and healthcare providers could:
• Delay non-urgent appointments
• Pause preventative screenings
• Limit elective procedures
• Reevaluate Medicaid participation

Preventative care is not “extra.” It is what keeps you out of the hospital.

If you’re on Medicaid:

• Schedule appointments NOW
• Refill prescriptions
• Confirm your provider still accepts Medicaid
• Check your eligibility and renewal status

Do not wait until services are restricted.

Access to care is not something we assume — it’s something we protect.

Stay informed. Stay proactive. Stay covered.

01/09/2026

HEALTHCARE AFFORDABILITY BREAKTHROUGH

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced health insurance subsidies for three more years.

The final vote was 230–196, with all Democrats and 17 Republicans joining together to move the measure forward. This bipartisan turnout defied GOP leadership and reflects growing concerns about rising healthcare costs and lost coverage after subsidies expired at the end of 2025.

These subsidies help lower monthly premiums for millions of people who buy insurance through ACA marketplaces and without them, many could face significantly higher costs.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where lawmakers are negotiating a compromise. It’s still unclear if the measure will become law in its current form.

This bipartisan move defies party leadership and puts pressure on the Senate to act — health care affordability is now front and center in Congress.

Please write, email, and call your Senator.

06/24/2025

Governor Abbot of Texas just Said “No” to feeding it’s children this summer
and it’s not just disappointing—it’s dangerous.

Governor Abbott vetoed $450 million in federal funding for the Summer EBT program—a program that would have helped feed nearly 3.8 million Texas children during the summer months when school meals aren’t available. The state’s cost? Just $60 million in administrative funds.

As a nurse, nutritionist, and public health educator, I cannot be silent.

This isn’t just about a budget line—it’s about children’s basic human right to food.

Here’s what this decision really means:

1 in 4 Texas kids already face food insecurity

Communities like Fifth Ward, already disproportionately impacted, will feel this most

Food banks and pantries will face even greater strain

Local economies lose out on grocery dollars that could’ve supported families and small businesses

And families—many working multiple jobs—will be left with fewer resources to nourish their children

Despite bipartisan legislative support, this veto reflects a growing disconnect between policymaking and the lived realities of everyday Texans.

Rejecting federal assistance that could alleviate suffering—especially when millions of families are struggling with inflation, heat, and housing instability—isn’t fiscal responsibility. It’s neglect.

We deserve better. Our children deserve better.

Let’s stand up and speak out—for dignity, for health, and for the future of every child in Texas.

Copper and Greens®

Thank you Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman for the article in the Houston Chronicle.

05/02/2024

Can I tell you a story about this young lady?

You may know or recognize her.

Ella, a radiant Black Woman whose smile could light up the darkest of rooms. Yet, behind her infectious laughter and boundless energy, Ella had a burden hidden from the world – the weight of her own mental health struggles.

From a young age, Ella learned to mask her inner turmoil, fearing judgment and stigma from a community where mental health was often misunderstood. She juggled multiple roles effortlessly – a devoted daughter, loving wife, dedicated mother, a loyal friend, a dedicated employee – but beneath the surface, the pressure was suffocating.

As the years passed, Ella's smile became a facade, masking the storm raging within. Anxiety and depression gnawed at her spirit, leaving her feeling lost and alone in a world that expected her to be strong. It wasn't until Ella reached a breaking point that she realized she couldn't carry this burden alone.

With nervous hands and a heart heavy with fear, Ella took the first step on her journey to healing. She confided in a trusted friend who gently encouraged her to seek help. Ella started on the path to therapy, guided by a compassionate therapist who helped her navigate her mental health.

With therapy, Ella learned to untangle the knots of her thoughts and confront the shadows that had long haunted her. She discovered the power of self-care – the importance of setting boundaries, practicing mindfulness, and nurturing her own well-being.

Slowly but steadily, Ella's spirit began to brighten. The clouds of despair parted, allowing rays of hope to pierce through the darkness. She surrounded herself with a support network of friends and family who lifted her up when she stumbled, reminding her that she was never alone in her journey.

So often, Black Women are expected to and often carry a heavier load than others. In some instance they are expected to handle more than what is humanly possible.

Does Ella sound familiar to you? If she does checkout the resources in the comments.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

03/31/2024

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with hearts open and spirits willing, drawing upon the profound words of Your Son, Jesus, who declared Himself as the resurrection and the life. As women of faith, we seek to embody the belief that in Him, we find eternal life, a promise that transcends the confines of our earthly existence.

Lord, strengthen us in our belief that though our physical bodies may face the inevitability of death, our spirits, anchored in faith in Jesus, shall never taste death’s finality. Let this assurance ignite within us a vibrant, unyielding life that reflects Your love and grace in every action, every decision, and every moment of our lives.

Grant us, O God, the courage to stand firm in our faith, especially in moments of doubt or despair. May the reality of Jesus as the resurrection and the life be a beacon that guides us through the trials and tribulations of life. Let it be a source of comfort, a reminder of the glorious eternity that awaits us, and a call to live fully in the present, embodying Your love and light in the world.

In moments of weakness, remind us of Your everlasting presence. Empower us to live by believing in Jesus, so that our lives may be testaments to Your unending grace and mercy. Let our faith be as resilient as it is gentle, influencing those around us to seek Your face and embrace the promise of eternal life.

As we reflect on the question, “Do you believe this?”, let our hearts respond with a resounding “Yes”, not just in words, but through our actions, our love, and our unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.

We thank You, Lord, for the gift of Your Son, for the hope of resurrection, and for the promise of eternal life. May we live each day in the fullness of this truth, glorifying You in all we do.

In Jesus’ name, we pray,

Amen.

03/25/2024

There is so much money on the table for different health initiatives from the United States Government for Women's Health and so much more.

The budget for 2024 was just approved. For the rest of the year there will be money in abundance that the USA will be cycling into states, communities, contracts, and grants.

I touch and agree with any other consultant and or entrepreneur that this be your year of receiving a wealth transfer.

This is what reparations looks like in 2024.

01/15/2024

“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As a human, I see the inequality in health everyday, as a nurse I see the causes and effect, as a health and wellness coach I see the lack of proper eduction and the fear to want to do better.

Health inequality is a crime on a multitude of levels, but what you personally stand for is what you allow to be deposited into your community.

We are dying at alarming rates, not just because of genocide and guns. We have succumb to disease and lack of proper nutrition. It is killing us and leaving devastation in the families and communities.

Every neighborhood should have access to health and wellness. No longer can you allow yourself to be a victim of socioeconomic conditions and disease. Health disparities is a human inequality that creates separation, death, broken families, survival tactics, and mental health.

It’s not about numbers, detox, or a diet, it’s about creating a healthier person that can benefit their families, communities, and breaking generational curses.

Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

01/08/2024

One full week into the New Year, 2024!

How are you feeling?

How has the week been?

Did you set intentions? If so, which are your participating in, and or, which have you declined?

Monday Affirmation: Start the week with positivity and focus.

04/01/2023

Happy April1, 2023!!!

Welcome to Copper and Greens! It has been a longtime coming, but we are here to assist you build a healthier and sustainable community.

We are Healthcare Strategy experts. Copper and Greens® is a Health Consulting Practice that specializes in helping Healthcare Leaders build Healthier, Diverse, and Sustainable communities to reshape their workplace culture with employing evidence-based strategies, innovative and tailored approaches, with a collaborative mindset. believe that healthy people create healthier communities that thrive.

Please visit www.copperandgreens.com for more information.

We look forward to assisting you build a more healthier and sustainable community.

Address

Houston, TX

Telephone

+12812499444

Website

http://www.copperandgreens.com/

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